Judge Rules for Catholic Employers on Abortion Protections

A federal judge in North Dakota, Daniel Traynor, has ruled that over 8,000 Catholic employers can reject government regulations requiring accommodations for employees seeking abortions and fertility treatments, citing religious freedom. The ruling blocks the enforcement of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) guidance under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which had defined pregnancy-related conditions to include time off for abortion and in-vitro fertilization. The Catholic Benefits Association and the Diocese of Bismarck argued that these requirements violated their First Amendment rights. Traynor criticized the EEOC's regulations as 'clearly anti-religion' and stated that they forced employers to choose between their beliefs and compliance. The decision has raised concerns about the implications for workers' rights in terms of access to reproductive health care. The EEOC's rules, intended to protect workers, will now not be enforced against these religious employers, limiting the accommodations available for employees seeking such services.