LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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Current Headlines
•House Committee Casts First Vote to Move Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill Ahead
• Obama Begins Lobbying, But Pro-Life Democrats Against Pro-Abortion Health Care
• Obama Admin Misleads on HCR Abortion Funding Via Community Health Centers
• Americans Still Oppose Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill as Democrats Press for Vote
• National 40 Days for Life Pro-Life Effort Up to 298 Babies Saved From Abortions
• Americans United for Life Starts 350K Campaign to Stop Pro-Abortion Health Bill
• Research Shows Passing Universal Health Care Will Not Reduce Abortion Rates
• MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Struggles With Accuracy on Stupak, Abortion Funding
• Virginia Legislature OKs License Plates, State Budget for Planned Parenthood
• University of Wisconsin Spends $59K to Train Students to Learn Doing Abortions
• Group Launches New Campaign to Keep Catholic Colleges True to Pro-Life View
• Notre Dame to Finally Give Medal After Protest Following Barack Obama Speech
--> ACTION: Contact your member of Congress to oppose the pro-abortion health care bill by going to http://www.House.gov and then tell every pro-life friend and family member to do the same. Urge opposition to the Senate bill, the compantion measure and the Slaughter Rule.
House Committee Casts First Vote to Move Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill Ahead
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- An important House committee cast a key vote today that is the first vote leading to what will ultimately be a vote by the entire House on the bill or a motion to deem the bill approved. The House Budget Committee voted 21 to 16 to send the pro-abortion bill to the House Rules Committee.
The panel approved a "shell" bill that the rules panel will eventually strip and replace with changes to the Senate health care bill.
The Rules Committee is expected to meet on Thursday and pro-life groups are urging calls and emails to members urging a no vote.
Those changes, which will not include stopping the massive abortion funding and abortion promotion in the Senate measure, are designed by President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders to get pro-life and moderate Democrats to support the bill.
The committee vote has important implications for the overall vote on the House floor as three Democrats considered likely to impact the final voted weighed in today.
Rep. Chet Edwards of Texas and Rep. Allen Boyd of Florida both joined the Republicans on the panel in voting against the pro-abortion health care measure. They both voted against the House bill on the House floor last fall and their votes are considered crucial in defeating the legislation later this week.
On the other hand, Rep. Marian Berry, an Arkansas Democrat who voted for the House bill last fall and is one of the pro-life Democrats who backed the Stupak amendment that pro-life advocates need to kill the bill voted yes on the measure. Full story at LifeNews.com
Obama Begins Lobbying, But Pro-Life Democrats Against Pro-Abortion Health Care
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Barack Obama is starting his arm twisting campaign in earnest today by inviting Democratic holdouts on the pro-abortion health care bill to one-on-one meetings with him at the White House. But it appears from public comments that some pro-life Democrats are holding firm against the bill.
Last week, President Barack Obama invited New York Rep Scott Murphy for a private meeting at the White House.
Today, reports indicate it appears Murphy may flip to yes from a no vote against the pro-abortion health care bill. But it appears what some pro-life Democrats need -- but are not getting -- are assurances that abortions will not be funded with taxpayer dollars.
Rep. Steve Driehaus is getting help from pro-abortion Vice President Joe Biden in a fundraiser tonight for his re-election bid, but that doesn't mean the freshman Democrat is a yes vote on the pro-abortion health care bill.
CNN indicates the numbers continue to favor the pro-life side. Backers of the pro-abortion bill need 216 votes to pass it and with no Republicans supporting it, they can't afford to lose many Democrats.
"Of the 37 Democrats who voted against the House plan in November, 14 indicated they would vote against the Senate plan as written, 12 remained uncommitted, and 11 have not returned repeated calls from CNN," it reported.
And of the 21 House Democrats who voted yes last time, Reps. Michael Arcuri of New York, Marion Berry of Arkansas, Tim Bishop of New York, Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, Daniel Lipinski of Illinois, and Bart Stupak of Michigan have said they will vote no -- with berry, Lipinski and Stupak doing so because of the abortion funding.
At least eight members remained uncommitted, CNN indicated, and that includes Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, according to the Erie, Pennsylvania newspaper. Full story at LifeNews.com
Obama Admin Misleads on HCR Abortion Funding Via Community Health Centers
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Obama administration has released a new memo that misleads the public on the abortion funding via community health centers found in the Senate health care bill. It takes a shot at National Right to Life, but the venerable pro-life group pushed saying no limits leave open abortion funding.
At issue is a provision in the Senate health care bill that allows $7 billion in funding for Community Health Centers -- something President Barack Obama expanded in his request for changes to the bill.
The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) and other pro-life groups have condemned the provision because the money could be funneled to abortion businesses to pay for abortions and will not be subject to provisions like the Hyde Amendment that stops abortion funding.
Douglas Johnson, the legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee, explains "the Reproductive Health Access Project and the Abortion Access Project are already actively campaigning for Community Health Centers to perform elective abortions."
The New York Times indicates the Obama administration has responded in an internal Health and Human Services department memo.
Obama officials respond by saying the Senate health care bill would not change the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits abortion funding under the HHS appropriations bill but does not apply to the Senate bill. Full story at LifeNews.com
Americans Still Oppose Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill as Democrats Press for Vote
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- As Democrats press for final votes this week on the pro-abortion health care bill, a new Rasmussen poll confirms what national surveys have said for months -- a majority of Americans oppose it. Meanwhile, surveys in the districts of pro-life and moderate Democrats also show opposition to the plan.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds just 43% favor the pro-abortion health care plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats while 53% oppose it.
Americans who hold the most passionate views one way or the other are also strongly opposed to the plan -- as Rasmussen found 23% who strongly favor the plan and 46% who strongly oppose it.
"The numbers are virtually unchanged from last week and are consistent with findings in regularly tracking going back to just after Thanksgiving," the reputable polling firm said.
Democrats continue to overwhelmingly support the plan, while Republicans and voters not affiliated with either party strongly oppose it. Most voters (55%) would rather see Congress scrap the original plan and start all over again. Full story at LifeNews.com
National 40 Days for Life Pro-Life Effort Up to 298 Babies Saved From Abortions
by David Bereit
Every day, we update a number on the top of the 40 Days for Life web page. Every day, that number gets larger and larger. Every day, I am humbled and amazed at what God is doing during this campaign of prayer and fasting.
As of today, that number has grown to 298 babies and their mothers spared from abortion -- that we know of!
People praying at a 40 Days for Life vigil outside an abortion center in Mission Hills, California watched as a woman arrived for an abortion appointment. Volunteers spoke to her briefly as she walked toward the building.
"The woman seemed upset with what she was about to do," said Patti, "but went in anyway."
When she came out a bit later, a pro-life counselor asked if she had changed her mind. "No," she said. "I forgot my Medicare card at home and I have to go get it. The counselor responded, "You know, that's just God telling you that you're not supposed to be here." Full story at LifeNews.com
Americans United for Life Starts 350K Campaign to Stop Pro-Abortion Health Bill
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- One of the nation's longest-serving pro-life organizations unveiled today a $350,000 campaign to topple the pro-abortion Senate health care bill. Americans United for Life has been working overtime to defeat the legislation and its provisions funding and promotion abortions.
The online and grassroots campaign is aimed at convincing the Democrats who supported both the Stupak amendment and the House version of the bill to oppose the Senate measure because it doesn't have the Stupak abortion limits.
The ad shows a picture of an infant held up with two hands and says: When it comes to voting for health reform we know you have your hands full.
The health care bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives prevents taxpayer-funded abortion, the ad says. The U.S. Senate health care bill on the other hand does allow your tax dollars to pay for abortion. Those are stark differences with serious consequences. Full story at LifeNews.com
Research Shows Passing Universal Health Care Will Not Reduce Abortion Rates
by Michael New
In an editorial that ran in the Washington Post on Friday, author and journalist T. R. Reid argued that universal health care will lower the abortion rate in the United States. Using data from the United Nations, his argument relies on the fact that several European countries with universal health care also have lower abortion rates than the United States does.
However, Reid s analysis is superficial and unconvincing.
First, abortion rates in the United States are lower than what the UN statistics indicate. In 2005, the most recent year for which data is available, the U.S. abortion rates reported by the Guttmacher Institute and the Centers for Disease Control are 19.4 and 15, respectively. As such, the incidence of abortion in the United States is comparable to that of many European countries with universal health care, including Great Britain, France, and Sweden.
Furthermore, even though Australia and New Zealand offer more generous public health benefits than the United States does, their rates of abortion are similar to ours.
More importantly, simply comparing the U.S. abortion rate to abortion rates in countries with universal health care is misleading. The United States has a far more racially diverse population than many of these European countries, and statistics show that a number of minority groups have higher-than-average abortion rates. Full story at LifeNews.com
MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Struggles With Accuracy on Stupak, Abortion Funding
by Jack Coleman
Rachel Maddow has to get it right eventually, what with the law of averages and all. We'll just have to remain patient.
Latest targets of her self-righteous wrath? Congressman Bart Stupak, apostate Democrat of Michigan, for his opposition to taxpayer-funded abortion.
Here's Maddow from her MSNBC show on Wednesday, alleging deceit by Stupak while engaging in it herself twice over: Full story at LifeNews.com
Virginia Legislature OKs License Plates, State Budget for Planned Parenthood
Richmond, VA (LifeNews.com) -- The Virginia legislature closed up shop for the year, but didn't do so before giving a bonanza to the Planned Parenthood abortion business. It approved pro-abortion license plates and allowed the abortion business to still receive state taxpayer funding -- both problems pro-life Gov. Bob McDonnell may be able to fix.
Despite efforts in the House of Delegates to not allow Planned Parenthood to benefit financially from sales of a license plate, a conference committee rewarded funding to them.
In addition, the General Assembly sent McDonnell a budget that does not prohibit taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood and does not include prohibitions on taxpayer funding of failed embryonic stem cell research and abortions for low-income state residents.
"All in all, a good weekend for the nation s billion-dollar abortion behemoth," Family Foundation president Victoria Cobb complained.
Cobb says some legislators were intimidated by threats from the ACLU to take the state legislature to court if it failed to approve a pro-abortion plate. The ACLU argues that is discrimination because pro-life advocates already have a Choose Life plate. Full story at LifeNews.com
University of Wisconsin Spends $59K to Train Students to Learn Doing Abortions
Madison, WI (LifeNews.com) -- More documents a pair of pro-life groups have uncovered using freedom of Information Act requests show the University of Wisconsin may be illegally funding internships for medical students at abortion centers.
The new documents obtained via an open records request by Pro-Life Wisconsin and the Alliance Defense Fund reveal that, since 2007, UW has spent more than $58,878 paying for abortion training.
State law prohibits the use of taxpayer funds to pay for elective abortions or to abortion centers.
James Dechene, senior vice president and general counsel for UWHCA, sent a letter to the pro-life groups in response to the open records request. Full story at LifeNews.com
| Looking for a pro-life speaker for your next banquet, conference or convention? LifeNews.com editor Steven Ertelt is a low-cost speaker who can entertain and educate your audience as well as help you with a fundraising pitch if necessary. He can also speak on any pro-life topic. For more information, email news@LifeNews.com. |
Notre Dame to Finally Give Medal After Protest Following Barack Obama Speech
South Bend, IN (LifeNews.com) -- The University of Notre Dame will finally award its Laetare Medal, an annual award given in recognition of outstanding service to the Roman Catholic church and society. The Catholic college delayed the award after former Vatican ambassador Mary Ann Glendon refused it over a controversy.
Glendon, a respected pro-life advocate and a Harvard law professor, said last year she would not speak at the University of Notre Dame because pro-abortion President Barack Obama was invited to give its commencement speech.
Notre Dame also awarded Obama with an honorary degree, which greatly upset pro-life Catholics.
Now, Notre Dame will present the medal to Dana Gioia, a former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts who was appointed NEA chairman by President George W. Bush in 2003. Full story at LifeNews.com
Group Launches New Campaign to Keep Catholic Colleges True to Pro-Life View
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Cardinal Newman Society has spent years working to hold Catholic colleges and universities to the pro-life teachings of the Catholic Church.
Tomorrow, the organization will launch an expanded effort to bring together and support college leaders and bishops who are dedicated to the renewal of Catholic identity at Catholic colleges and universities.
The newly-renamed Center for the Advancement of Catholic Higher Education also has a new leader, Dr. David House.
He is a 12-year veteran president of Saint Joseph s College in Maine and a former official at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Southern California and Bellarmine University.
For 17 years, The Cardinal Newman Society has primarily served Catholic families seeking faithful Catholic education, but college leaders and bishops also need support, Patrick Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society, told LifeNews.com today. With Dr. House and the expanded Center, we have an exciting opportunity to usher in an era of genuine renewal by providing much-needed policy analysis, research and opportunities for collaboration. Full story at LifeNews.com
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