"persons with religious objections" I'm so glad that this provision is in there as well. This is reflective of one of my HUGE hangups with respect to the "Amish exception" for Social Security.
For the first time in 70 years, we have a Supreme Court that might just use the 14th Amendment against libs.
They're going to exempt someone based on religious preference? How does that not violate the establishment clause under 1st Amendment and the equal protection clause under the 14th?
They're codifying a religious preference. It can't be anymore clear.
I also have hangups on the "Amish exception" for much the same reason I have hangups with conscientious objector status for Quakers. You ought not enjoy the benefits of citizenship without shouldering its burdens.
Constitutionally, though, while it might violate the establishment clause to include the exception, I think it might violate the free exercise clause to omit the exception.
When the government gets this heavily involved in the private affairs of its citizens, the establishment and free exercise clauses may become incompatible.