The House of Representatives passed the Conscience Protection Act on Wednesday. The bill would ensure pro-life Americans will not have to participate in abortion.

Tony Perkins with the Family Research Council said it is a step in the right direction.

“I applaud the House for voting to codify longstanding federal conscience protections, and to give pro-life victims of government discrimination the right to sue in court,” he said. “No person, organization or healthcare provider should ever be forced by the government to participate in the abhorrent act of abortion.”

A majority of Republicans were joined by 3 Democrats in voting for the measure that takes steps to stop government discrimination. Matt Bowman, an attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom said the Obama Administration has repeatedly violated federal law making this bill necessary.

“The House was right to pass this bill to protect the freedom of Americans to practice and choose pro-life health care,” he said, “and we hope the Senate will take it up as well.”

House leadership will bring a pro-life conscience protection act to the floor for a vote Wednesday. S 304, the Conscience Protection Act (CPA), would stop the government from discriminating against those who do not wish to be forced to take part in abortion.

CPA is needed because the Department of Health and Human Services has refused to investigate violations of existing federal law that protects conscience.

“Conscience is about choice,” said David Christensen of the Family Research Council. “Health-care professionals should not be forced to engage in abortion against their will, and that includes churches and others who purchase health insurance. CPA is about basic fairness for everyone and is a key pro-life priority.”