"This is the story of Los Angeles, the story of the state of California and the story of our country—which is a nation of immigrants," said Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez.
The U.S. bishops argue that the act closes loopholes that are allowing states to mandate abortions be performed or covered by Catholic and other faith-based health care providers.
The bill is "a modest but important step in ensuring conscience protection to faith-based organizations and people of all faiths and of no faith who believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman."