[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 198 (Tuesday, December 22, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13778-S13779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RELIGIOUS CONSCIENCE EXEMPTION

  Mr. CASEY. May I ask the Senator from Iowa to yield for a question 
about the managers' amendment, amendment 3276, to amendment 2786 to 
H.R. 3590?
  Mr. HARKIN: Of course.
  Mr. CASEY. Chairman Harkin, the managers' amendment includes a 
religious conscience exemption from the individual requirement to 
maintain minimum essential coverage in section 1501. Is it the intent 
of the managers that this exemption apply to an individual who is a 
member of recognized religious sect described in Internal Revenue Code 
section 1402(g) regardless of employment status?
  Mr. HARKIN. Yes, the intent of the religious exemption is to focus on 
an individual who is a member of a religious

[[Page S13779]]

sect described in 1402(g) and who is an adherent of the teachings of 
that sect notwithstanding his or her employment status.
  Mr. CASEY. I thank the chairman. So, for example, an Amish person 
working in a factory or store for a non-Amish employer and meeting the 
1402(g) requirements would not be required to obtain insurance coverage 
against his or her religious convictions?
  Mr. HARKIN. The Senator is correct. The managers' amendment creates a 
clear bright line exemption for individuals described in 1402(g). This 
religious conscience exemption applies whether one is unemployed, a 
self-employed Amish person, an Amish person working for an Amish 
employer, or an Amish person working for a non-Amish employer.
  Mr. CASEY. I thank the Senator for that clarification.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized.

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