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Stupak Amendment Threatened in Senate |
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Prayer-Soldier writes "On 7 Nov 09, the House passed the Stupak Amendment which prohibits the use of Health Care Reform Bill funds to pay for abortion. The amendment was written to uphold precedence such as the Hyde Amendment, which prevents the use of taxpayer funds for purposes of abortion. The amendment paved the way for the subsequent passing of the House version of the Health Care Reform Bill.
As many in the pro-life arena are cheering the passing of the amendment as a victory for the life movement, pro-abortion groups are vowing to fight the amendment as the focus of Health Care Reform legislation shifts to the Senate. In an 8 Nov 09 NYDailyNews.com posting, it was related that, “People on the left reacted with outrage,” with the passing of the Stupak Amendment. The report speculated that it would be difficult for the language to stand in the Senate version.
The report related several angry statements from pro-abortion supporters such as a statement by the ACLU’s Vania Leveille. She said, “Today’s vote in the House of Representatives in favor of the Pitts-Stupak amendment to deny women access to abortion in health care reform legislation is a direct attack on women’s right to make private health care decisions.”
An 8 Nov 09 Examiner.com report cited a joint statement from the co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Caucus, Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Congresswoman Diane DeGette of Colorado. The report pointed out that despite the criticism and displeasure voiced in the statement, both women voted for the final Health Care Bill.
The Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus statement exaggerated the impact of the Stupak Amendment as they voiced their displeasure. The statement concluded, “This kind of outrageous interference in health care by the government marks a sad day in this struggle and will result in women across America losing the right to health care.”
In an undated statement posted by Planned Parenthood, they expressed, “It is extremely unfortunate that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and anti-choice opponents were able to hijack the health care reform bill in their dedicated attempt to ban all legal abortion In the United States.” In their statement, Planned Parenthood vowed, “In the coming weeks, Planned Parenthood will work with its allies in the Senate to ensure that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and those who oppose abortion do not once again hijack the legislative process in their ongoing campaign to make abortion illegal.”
In a 7 Nov 09 press release from the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL), the organization stated, “the fight is not over.” The press release stated that “Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, “vowed to fight to remove this provision as the process goes to the Senate.”
Meanwhile, many Catholic parishes will see a bulletin insert released by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops asking parishioners to contact their Congressional representatives over the issue. The insert includes instructions to help parishioners identify methods through which they can communicate via e-mail, phone calls or FAX letters. Suggestions included sending a pre-written, instant e-mail to Congress via www.usccb.org/action, calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or to call local offices of congressional members. The insert related that full contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at http://www.house.gov and http://www.senate.gov.
The recommended message to Senators was, "During floor debate on the health care reform bill, please support an amendment to incorporate longstanding policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”
Cited Publications:
NYDailyNews.com Report (8 Nov 09)
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dc/2009/11/the-abortion-issue.html
Examiner.com Report (8 Nov 09)
http://www.examiner.com/x-25800-DC-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m11d8-Prochoice-movement-dealt-serious-blow-with-passage-of-Stupak-amendment-in-health-care-reform-bill
Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Statement (8 Nov 09)
http://degette.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=877:joint-statement-from-pro-choice-caucus-on-stupak-pitts-vote&catid=76:press-releases-&Itemid=227
Planned Parenthood Statement
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/planned-parenthood-condemns-passage-stupak-pitts-amendment-30821.htm
USCCB Bulletin Insert
http://www.usccb.org/healthcare/Bulletin_Insert_091023.pdf"
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Posted on Sunday, November 08 @ 21:48:07 MST by admin
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