Pro-life churches ask SCOTUS to defend right to challenge gov't action

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel and Vice President of Appellate Advocacy John Bursch regarding a friend-of-the-court brief ADF attorneys filed Friday with the U.S. Supreme Court in Diamond Alternative Energy v. Environmental Protection Agency, in which gasoline producers and others are appealing a lower court decision that denies their ability to challenge government action. ADF filed the brief on behalf of Foothill Church in California and Cedar Park Assembly of God in Washington, two churches that challenged state laws that forced health insurance providers to insert abortion coverage into the churches’ health plans in violation of their religious beliefs:

“Our government operates by the people and for the people, and government officials should not be allowed to insulate their actions from judicial review. The lower court decision in this case creates a nearly insurmountable barrier to courtroom access that is inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution. Our clients, Foothills Church and Cedar Park Assemblies of God, sought justice for years after state officials forced the churches to include abortion coverage in their employee health plans. When challenged, the state officials attempted to dodge responsibility. We are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the lower court’s decision and allow citizens to challenge illegal government action.”

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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