Republicans Rally Against Contraception Rule

(NewsCore) - Republicans stepped up their campaign Thursday against the Obama administration's new contraception rule, using the pulpit of the premier conservative conference in Washington to assail the policy as an unconstitutional attack on religious freedom.

The sustained GOP criticism, including a letter of opposition Thursday from three state attorneys general, came as a few key Democrats peeled away from the president on the issue or called for a compromise.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the party's 2004 presidential nominee, told FOX News Channel Thursday that the policy should be adjusted to include a conscience clause.

"I think it can be implemented effectively in a way that protects women's access but at the same time protects people's rights and conscience," Kerry said. "I think it's an unnecessary debate."

In Cincinnati Vice President Joe Biden said in a radio interview Thursday that he was "determined to see that this gets worked out and I believe we can work it out."

Biden said there was a "lot of misunderstanding" about the rule but there will be a "significant attempt to work this out."

"I am of the view that this can be worked out and should be worked out. And ... I know the president feels the same way."

At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), a string of Republican speakers singled out the policy, which requires religious-affiliated organizations, such as universities and hospitals, to cover contraceptives in employee health plans.

"This isn't even a social issue. This is a constitutional issue," Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said onstage. "What [the Constitution] says is that the federal government does not have the power to force religious organizations to pay for things that organization thinks is wrong."

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who a day earlier took to the House floor to vow to repeal the policy unless the Obama administration backs off, said Thursday that a "fundamental American value" is at stake. He said at CPAC that lawmakers would debate the issue, adding, "One thing is for certain -- this attack on religious freedom cannot and will not stand."

Also at CPAC, former presidential candidate Rick Perry issued a call to conservatives to "win this war on faith."

The Texas governor accused the administration of "assaulting the Catholic Church by forcing their pro-abortion agenda."

Though the Obama administration has tried to allay the concerns of religious leaders, it is not clear how far it is willing to bend. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) said Obama "affirmed his view" on the issue during a closed-door retreat Wednesday with Senate Democrats and indicated that he plans on "sticking by what he said."

And during Wednesday's White House briefing, spokesman Jay Carney said the administration ultimately would not walk back from giving women with religious employers access to birth control without a co-pay.

At least nine Democratic members of Congress have spoken out against the policy or suggested it should be changed. Among them, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said in a newspaper interview he has told the White House he opposes the policy.

Other Democrats, though, have staunchly defended the president.

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) noted Thursday that the mandate allowing access to birth control was not forcing anyone to use it.

"We're not coercing the Catholic Church to do anything," said Nadler, calling the outcry the product of a "political decision." He added, "It is totally wrong and totally phony."

Nadler continued to argue that when the church steps out of its role as a church and becomes an employer or a hospital administrator it is subject to the same laws as everybody else.

Read more: FOX News