Opposes far-reaching amendment to highway bill

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich released the following statement today after voting against an amendment to the highway bill that would have allowed employers to opt out of health care coverage for employees because of moral objections. The amendment is known as the Blunt Amendment because it was sponsored by Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri. The amendment failed.

Begich’s statement:

“The Blunt amendment simply goes too far. It allows employers to deny health care coverage for any moral objection. This means that not only could women’s contraceptive coverage be denied, but also basics like child immunizations, flu shots, mammograms and prenatal care.

“I’m disappointed we even needed to vote on an attempt to strip basic health care from Alaskans and all Americans. The debate on this amendment has wasted a week we should have spent on the actual bill pending before the Senate – transportation. We should be building roads and creating jobs, not engaging in this war of words over contraception.”

Source: Office of Senator Begich