US Judge Supports Catholic Employers in Abortion Regulation Challenge, Reports Reuters

By Brendan Pierson

A U.S. judge has issued a ruling that prevents a federal agency from enforcing a new regulation from President Joe Biden’s administration, which mandates that employers must accommodate employees seeking abortions or certain fertility treatments. This decision follows a legal challenge by a Catholic employers’ association based in North Dakota.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor granted a preliminary injunction on Monday, which was requested by the Catholic Benefits Association and the Catholic Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota, against the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The contested rule, which was announced earlier this year, was intended to enforce the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act—a bipartisan law enacted in 2022 that requires employers to adjust job duties or offer time off for workers facing limitations due to pregnancy or related medical conditions.

Plaintiffs claimed that the regulation infringed on their constitutional right to religious freedom, as outlined in the First Amendment, along with another federal law known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Judge Traynor determined that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their case, asserting that the newly established requirements could compel individuals to breach their deeply held religious beliefs.

In his ruling, Traynor also stated that the EEOC could not penalize members of the Catholic Benefits Association for refusing to recognize the preferred pronouns or gender identity of transgender employees in restroom usage, as the agency had indicated that these actions might constitute sex discrimination.

Martin Nussbaum, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, expressed gratitude for the ruling, stating it vindicated the religious rights of the association’s members. The U.S. Justice Department, which represents the EEOC, did not provide immediate feedback regarding the ruling.

The Catholic Benefits Association claims its membership includes 1,380 Catholic employers and 7,100 parishes, consisting mainly of Catholic organizations such as schools and charities, alongside some Catholic-owned businesses.

The judge’s order will remain in effect while he evaluates the remaining aspects of the case. Although the EEOC rule does allow for exemptions for religious employers like churches and charities, Traynor found these exemptions inadequate. He indicated that they lacked clarity concerning their applicability and did not extend to Catholic employers operating standard for-profit businesses.

Traynor further asserted that these employers warranted protections based on their religious convictions. He noted that members of the Catholic Benefits Association are "committed to providing no benefits or services inconsistent with Catholic values," thus categorizing them as not entirely secular.

The judge, appointed by former President Donald Trump, emphasized that this is a "precarious time for people of religious faith in America," criticizing the Biden administration for what he termed “illegal and unconstitutional administrative actions” that undermine religious freedom.

In a related development, another federal judge in Louisiana, also a Trump appointee, had previously blocked enforcement of the same rule against the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as a group of Catholic bishops. Traynor’s decision may have further implications since it applies to all members of a national voluntary association.

Meanwhile, a group of 17 states led by Tennessee had previously challenged the regulations but lost their case. The Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is set to hear their appeal shortly.