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Rep. Diane Black says D.C. law cannot stand

house.gov

WASHINGTON (AP/WMOT) — Mid-state Congressman Diane Black (R) is leading the charge in the U.S. House to revoke a local District of Columbia law barring discrimination against workers who have abortions.

The measure passed the House Thursday night 228 to 193. The GOP effort is largely symbolic because President Barack Obama is all but certain to veto it should it also pass the Senate.

Black and other opponents of the law say it will force churches, religious schools and anti-abortion organizations to violate their own religious beliefs and provide contraceptive coverage to their workers.

“The bill fails to acknowledge certain long standing constitutional protections of the first amendment for certain political and religious organizations. Because of this, we cannot let this legislation stand.”

Supporters of the law say Black has it wrong. They say the measure would forbid organizations from discriminating against employees who seek abortion, contraceptives or make other reproductive health decisions.

Mid-state Congressman Jim Cooper (D) disparages the bill, telling the Tennessean that it “treats women like second-class citizens.”