U.S. Senators Katie Britt, James Lankford, Colleagues Introduce Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and several of their colleagues recently introduced the Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act. The legislation seeks to ensure medical students and residents are never pressured or coerced into abortion training that violates their moral or religious beliefs, and it establishes clear federal protections, so residents are not forced to choose between their conscience and their careers.

“There should never be an instance where a medical student or resident is forced to choose between their deeply held moral or religious convictions and their careers. Our legislation simply lets residents opt in, rather than be forced to opt out, of training that violates their consciences,” said Senator Britt. “I will always fight to protect life, and I’m proud to support this bill that would safeguard the values of aspiring medical professionals as they learn and thrive.”

Under current rules from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, residents are allowed to opt out of abortion training, but the opt-out system puts pressure on trainees to participate in procedures that violate their moral or religious beliefs. Residents often fear that opting out could affect evaluations, recommendations, or future career opportunities.

The Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act replaces the opt-out system with an opt-in system. It ensures residents can choose whether to participate in abortion training and protects them from discrimination or retaliation if they decline.

“Medical residents should never be pressured to violate their beliefs in order to finish their training or advance in their careers,” said Senator Lankford. “Many went into medicine to protect life, not take it. No one should have to choose between their conscience and their future in medicine. Our bill makes that clear and ensures medical students and residents can follow their convictions as they care for their patients.”

Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.) are also cosponsors of this legislation. You can read the full text of the bill here.

The following organizations support the bill: AAPLOG Action, SBA, ADF, AUL, NRLC, CURE, CatholicVote, Vitae Foundation, Human Coalition, March for Life Action, Heartbeat International, SFLA Action, CWALAC, ERLC, Live Action, Heritage Action, FPA, Liberty Counsel, FRC, and Liberty Counsel Action.

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