Earlier this spring, pro-abortion Democrats in Congress proved they were willing to stymie a significant anti-human trafficking bill in order to ensure that taxpayer money would still be saved for abortion services. Their selfish move was eventually defeated, yet now a major government agency is also trying to link their pro-abortion agenda to anti-trafficking efforts. Come this fall, religious groups will be forced to provide abortion counseling to trafficking victims via a third party, regardless of their spiritual convictions, thanks to a new provision posted by The Department of Health and Human Services.
In guidance quietly posted online in June, the agency said groups competing for grants must offer "the full range of legally permissible gynecological and obstetric care," which includes abortion counseling and referrals. If groups don't offer the services, they must propose an alternative approach to remain competitive for a grant.
Even if a concerned pro-life health care provider manages to persuade HHS to offer them a grant based on their religious tenets, they still have no right to discourage abortion counseling to women, according to the government agency.
Some are protesting this latest HHS rule by insisting it violates the Weldon Amendment, legislation which prohibits federal money from discriminating against pro-life health care professionals, hospitals, etc.
Sadly, forcing a pro-abortion agenda on the country is nothing new for the Obama administration. Remember Hobby Lobby v. Burwell? In that battle for religious freedom, HHS tried to force a Christian company to provide abortion-inducing drugs to its employees.
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What does seem to be new, however, is this shameful strategy that links trafficking victim aid to abortion services. Withholding grants from groups who are both trying to help trafficking victims and defend the unborn may be a new low for this White House.
This latest attack on religious liberty will be enforced in the fall.
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