Boxer Says Court Decision Turns Religious Freedom Act On Its Head, Wants To Overturn

California Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer is pushing legislation to overturn last week's Supreme Court decision allowing some companies to deny contraception to employees.

Senator Boxer supported the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 1993. Eleven years later the majority of the Supreme Court used that law in its ruling that four contraceptives, including two versions of the morning after pill, don’t have to be covered by health insurance if they violate the religious faith of private business owners. Boxer says that’s not what she voted for.

"They turned the Religious Freedom Restoration Act on its head," said Boxer.

Now Boxer is trying to overturn the ruling with legislation she says will protect female workers.

“The five Republican appointed men on the Supreme Court decided in the Hobby Lobby case that the employer, the boss, has total power to deny critical medical care to their employees," said Boxer.

The legislation still allows religious institutions to opt out of providing contraceptives. The bill doesn’t have a single Republican sponsor. Many in the G.O.P. are praising the Court for what they say is upholding religious freedom.