The abortion industry is dancing in celebration.
Last night the U.S. Senate voted 54-45 to "table" (block) a bipartisan amendment that would have prohibited taxpayer funds from being used to fund abortion.
From the start this legislation has posed a dilemma. Do we work hard to oppose government funding for abortion risking the possibility of passing a bad bill? Or do we oppose the entire effort knowing that we risk watching a bill pass that's even worse -- one with the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade?
Well, the Senate just made this decision much easier.
This bill is horrible from head to toe and it's time we tell Congress to scrap this bill and start over.
Millions of citizens from every state and political party have spoken out. From taxpayer funding for abortion, to threats to privacy and conscience, to the dangerous prospects for the future care for the elderly – Americans are fed up.
In addition to these moral concerns, the big question remains whether some form of massive government imposed insurance plan is even the place to start. We don't think so.
So what now?
Final approval of this Senate bill – and the entire health care "reform" effort – is still up in the air.
Democrat Ben Nelson has promised that he will filibuster a final vote on the legislation if the bill contains taxpayer funding for abortion.
Pennsylvania Democrat Robert Casey also remains an unknown. He co-sponsored and voted yesterday in support of the pro-life amendment. Senator Casey is a Catholic, and must be encouraged to stand strong for life.
Without these votes, Democrats cannot move forward. Senators Casey and Nelson must hear from you.
Call Senator Nelson at 202-224-6551 and call Senator Casey at 202-224-6324.
Please be polite and courteous, but also be firm.
Thank them for their leadership on the pro-life amendment, and then tell them we now expect them to OPPOSE the Senate bill. Tell them 500,000 CatholicVote members, and millions of pro-life Americans are counting on them!
Meanwhile, recall that the House of Representatives has already approved the "Stupak Amendment" in their own health care proposal. Representative Bart Stupak has also pledged along with 39 other Democrats to block any health care bill that includes funding for abortion.
And remember, any Senate bill, if approved, must be reconciled with the House bill.
Reality Check
The plain fact is that a large number of Democrats are beholden to the abortion lobby. They simply WILL NOT allow any health care bill to move forward without abortion funding included.
Therefore, our most effective way to scrap this horrible bill and start over is to fight for a ban on abortion funding.
Our Pledge
CatholicVote is working vigorously to block any healthcare legislation that forces taxpayers to fund abortion. We are working with allied groups and legislative staff in Washington D.C.
But we also remain opposed to this legislation in principle. We oppose any government takeover of healthcare. A government-first approach WILL NOT solve the problems of access and affordability to quality care. A massive new entitlement program is bad for jobs, bad for the poor and uninsured, and will inevitably result in bad care for everyone.
Sadly while Americans are busy preparing to celebrate Christmas, politicians in Washington are working weekends to ram through a hugely unpopular healthcare bill.
But if we can stop this bill and start over, then we can begin the process of real reform that puts people first instead of government and insurance company bureaucrats -- reform that protects the dignity of the human person in the womb and in their wallets.
Please keep calling and keep praying.
We're not done yet.
-Your CatholicVoteAction Team
NOTE: This message was paid for by CatholicVoteAction.org. As a lobbying organization, contributions to CatholicVoteAction.org are NOT tax-deductible. Contributions to CatholicVote.org remain tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
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