Federal Government Temporarily Agrees Not To Enforce ObamaCare Mandate Against Faith-Based Minnesota Car Dealership

HASTINGS, Minn., March 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, attorneys from Liberty Institute and Minnesota volunteer attorneys Kathryn Nash and Meghann Kantke announced that the Federal government temporarily agreed not to enforce the so-called, "contraceptive mandate" against two Hastings, Minnesota car dealerships—Hastings Automotive, Inc. and Hastings Chrysler Center—and their owner, Doug Erickson. Last week's ruling by the Minnesota district court reiterated the Federal government's agreement not to enforce the ObamaCare Mandate against Erickson in violation of his religious conscience in the operation of his business. Erickson operates his businesses according to the principles of his Christian faith.

"We are grateful that the United States Department of Justice agreed to temporarily refrain from enforcing a portion of the law that we believe would force Mr. Erickson to give up his freedom when doing business," said Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for Liberty Institute. "We hope the Supreme Court of the United States will agree that every American should be free to live and work according to their beliefs and without fear of punishment by their government."

Last week's ruling [Follow link: http://www.libertyinstitute.org/document.doc?id=136] provides temporary relief for Erickson's business at least until after the Supreme Court of the United States rules in the much-anticipated Hobby Lobby case.  Arguments in the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties cases will be held tomorrow, on March 25, 2014.  How the Supreme Court rules in those cases will ultimately determine whether the Federal government will be required to continue to respect the First Amendment rights of family-owned businesses like Erickson's or require them to violate conscience in order to do business.

Liberty Institute is a national nonprofit legal group dedicated to defending and restoring religious liberty across America — in our schools, for our churches, inside our military and throughout the public arena. Liberty's vision is to reestablish religious liberty in accordance with the principles of our Founding Fathers. For information, visit www.LibertyInstitute.org.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120523/DC12743LOGO-b

SOURCE Liberty Institute