WASHINGTON, D.C. (MCT) — Sitting in his pew at St. Louis Catholic Church in Miami one recent Sunday, Sen. Marco Rubio heard the same homily as other parishioners who were urged by church leaders nationwide to contact Congress about the use of contraceptives.
Well-positioned to act, the Florida Republican senator last week filed legislation that would repeal the part of the federal health care law that requires some religious institutions to offer contraceptives and family planning services without copayments in their health insurance coverage.
Rubio has always opposed abortion, including during his days in the Florida Legislature. In recent weeks, though, he has emerged as one of the leading national warriors in the politically explosive cultural war over what sort of health care women have access to.
His leadership on the issue is set against the backdrop this week of a national debate: the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer charity’s decision to end — then restore after protests— grants for breast cancer detection to Planned Parenthood.
He has previously said he would vote to defund Planned Parenthood, which receives federal money to provide health care for poor women and men. The organization provides abortion services.
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