Today on Kresta in the Afternoon - February 9, 2012

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Feb. 9

4:00 - Drafting the Conscience Protection Legislation
Nobody has been working harder or longer on conscience protection legislation than Mike O’Dea. He says now is the time to educate all Americans on where our legislators stand on religious liberty. Now is the time to get our Representatives to vote on HR 1179 and then take it to Senator Harry Reid and the Senate. If the Senate does not bring it to a vote, we will be able to hold Senator Reid and all Senators who did not co-sponsor SB 1467 accountable. They will be responsible for violating our Constitutional right to religious liberty, our right of conscience and a parent's right to be the primary health caregivers and educators of their children. Mike joins us to explain just how high the stakes are for this current Congress.

4:20 - Kresta Comments

5:00 - EWTN Announces Lawsuit Against
Thirty years ago, a cloistered nun named Mother Angelica started a small television network in her monastery garage to spread the teachings of the Catholic Church. Today, the network she started is suing the federal government for the right to remain faithful to those teachings. Michael Warsaw, President of EWTN is here to discuss it.

5:20 – Santorum: The Comeback Kid?
Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum claimed a surge of momentum and fundraising on Wednesday, a day after his shocking sweep of nominating contests in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri that dealt a blow to front-runner Mitt Romney. Even though Romney holds strong advantages in financing and organization, his campaign will have to refocus to fight the challenge from Santorum. Paul Kengor has the analysis.

5:40 - The HHS Mandate and Universities
Father Terence Henry, TOR, president of Franciscan University of Steubenville, commenting on the new HHS mandate said, “By making this insurance coverage mandatory, our government has violated the consciences of people of faith and infringed on our rights to practice our religious beliefs. Mandatory contraception and sterilization coverage in college student insurance plans force Catholic colleges to undermine our missions as Catholic institutions.” We talk with Fr. Terry and Michael Hernon of Franciscan University.