During a recent White House press conference, a reporter from EWTN Global Catholic Network asked a question about the Equality Act and gender confirmation surgeries for transgender Americans.
The reporter, Owen Jensen, cited the many pro-life groups who are opposed to the bill, and asked Psaki what President Joe Biden thought of their concerns.
"There's pro-life groups, right now, who are very concerned about the phrase 'pregnancy discrimination' in the Equality Act — you're familiar with that, I'm sure — that it would force doctors perform abortions even if it violates their conscience."
"There are also concerns the bill would force doctors to perform gender transition surgeries and sterilizations, again, even if the violates their conscience."
"What does the President — President Biden — say about those concerns?"
The Equality Act, which was recently passed in the House of Representatives, would put protections into place for LGBTQ+ people, women and disabled people to prevent discrimination based on their identities or disabilities.
The bill includes protections from healthcare discrimination, a common problem for all of these groups. There are many conservative Christian groups who claim the bill infringes on their religious freedoms, though, as Jensen asserted.
Psaki had no time for Jensen's attempted "gotcha" moment though.
She responded to Jensen's question by simply re-stating Biden's position on the issue.
"It has been his consistent belief that should be law, and he will fight to continue to protect that as being law."
Jensen again tried to make Biden out to be the bad guy.
"So conscience concerns is not a concern of his?"
But Psaki wasn't having any of it.
She again stated the President's support for the bill, and asked Jensen:
"Did you have another question?"
Jensen then went on to inquire about the future of the Department of Health and Human Services' Conscious and Religious Freedom Division, which was implememented during the Trump administration. The division exists for healthcare providers to report instances where they feel they were forced to participate in procedures that violate their religious beliefs.
In response to Jensen's question, Psaki referred him to the incoming Health and Human Services Secretary, Xavier Becerra.
"You'll have to talk to future Secretary Becerra, once he is confirmed."
Folks online really appreciated Psaki's smooth handling of the unpleasant situation.
Others also pointed out the Equality Act would not require providers to perform procedures they are not already performing.
President Joe Biden has been very clear about his stance on trans rights, making no attempts to beat around the bush. Trans rights are human rights.
After the Equality Act passed the House, the President tweeted:
@cubswwww reply to @cspan/X
@DCBlindOwl reply to @cspan/X
@JulianaStratton/X
@HagemanforWY/X
