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Former DOJ officials involved in the lawsuit criticized the move

President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice has moved to drop a lawsuit against the University of Vermont Medical Center for its role in allegedly violating a nurse’s conscience rights.

The medical center refused to replace the nurse during the abortion, despite her stated objections to killing preborn babies. Other nurses were also allegedly forced to help with abortions according to a findings letter.

The Department of Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump originally asked the DOJ to investigate the matter as a civil rights violation. The HHS is now run by Secretary Xavier Becerra, who previously sued the Center for Medical Progress in California after David Daleiden exposed the abortion industry’s role in fetal trafficking.

The HHS told Fox News:

After a detailed evaluation of the underlying legal theory used to issue a referral to the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services withdrew the original referral and requested DOJ dismiss the suit against the University of Vermont Medical Center, a request which was granted.

In line with this, HHS removed the Notice of Violation issued against UVMCC last Friday. HHS continues to evaluate the underlying facts of the matter and notified all the parties about its actions last Friday.

“It is a dereliction of duty that is an insult to the bipartisan consensus that says you cannot force people to assist in abortions,” Roger Severino, the former HHS Office of Civil Rights head told Fox News. He made the original complaint that prompted the lawsuit.

Students for Life Action criticized Becerra for his decision.

“Conscience Rights are critical for Medical Professionals. Becerra wants to betray them,” SFL Action wrote on Twitter.

Conscience Rights are critical for Medical Professionals. Becerra wants to betray them.#StopBecerrahttps://t.co/61xenVcFgU

— Students for Life Action (@SFLAction) August 3, 2021

Thank you, Senator @SteveDaines, for shedding light on the abortion extremism of the Biden Administration & @SecBecerra.

This is why elections matter.

Although HHS Secretary Becerra SAYS he believes in religious freedom, he consistently acts to the contrary. #VoteProLifeFirst https://t.co/DjgwcajEFJ

— Students for Life Action (@SFLAction) August 4, 2021

“Although HHS Secretary Becerra SAYS he believes in religious freedom, he consistently acts to the contrary,” the political arm of Students for Life of America wrote in a later tweet.

This is an egregious attack on healthcare providers’ right to follow their moral or religious beliefs. Despicable. @SecBecerra must stop this abortion extremism and follow the law.https://t.co/tWe3ZwvZhn

— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) August 3, 2021

The decision drew criticism from Montana Republican Senator Steve Daines.

“This is an egregious attack on healthcare providers’ right to follow their moral or religious beliefs. Despicable,” Daines tweeted.

MORE: College faces jury trial for forcing student to lobby for leftist causes

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