AULA BenchBriefs

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

 

AULA Calls on Congress to Pass the 
No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act 
in What Will Be a Scored Vote

“It is time to hold elected officials accountable for their knee jerk support of the abortion lobby,” says AULA’s Dr. Charmaine Yoest.

When the House votes later today on H.R. 3, the No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act, Americans will be watching closely to see whether Congress understands that social conservatives and economic watchdogs have found common ground. Getting the American taxpayer out of the business of subsidizing abortion is a budget cutting priority.

“Americans United for Life Action will score this key vote,” said AULA President and CEO Dr. Yoest. “The abortion industry has made it clear that its agenda includes targeting vulnerable annual riders to appropriations bills and regulations that currently prohibit federal funding of abortion. No longer should the abortion lobby force taxpayers to participate in their grisly business.”

The No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act, introduced by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) in January, establishes a permanent government-wide prohibition on taxpayer funding for abortion and insurance coverage that includes abortion.  Importantly, the bill also codifies the Hyde-Weldon amendment to protect health care providers, health care institutions, and health insurance providers against discrimination by the government on the basis that they do not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions.    

To contact Congress to urge their support of H.R. 3, click here.

Across the Country, 
Oklahoma Takes a Stand for Drug Safety,
Texas Commends Pregnancy Care Centers, 
and AULA Goes to Maine

Daniel McConchie of AUL and Oklahoma State Rep. Earl Ears.

AUL’s efforts at the state level continue to bear fruit.

IN OKLAHOMA, the state Senate last week passed the Abortion-Inducing Drugs Safety Act (HB 1970) by an overwhelming majority of 39-6. The bill, based upon AUL’s model of the same name, previously passed the Oklahoma House 83-5, and Governor Mary Fallin is expected to sign it into law.

“Efforts to restrict abortion-causing drugs are cutting edge this year,” noted Dr. Yoest. “Legislators understand that dangerous drugs must be better regulated or women and girls will suffer.”

HB 1970 requires that abortion providers dispense abortion-inducing drugs only in the way tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and outlined in the drug’s label. These requirements will prevent the dangerous “off-label” use of abortion-inducing drugs that has killed at least seven women in the United States alone—an “off-label” use that Planned Parenthood readily admits, on its website and in court documents, to be promoting.

AUL’s VP of Government Affairs Dan McConchie discussed the victory with The State Column. Click here to read more.

 

After the Texas vote: Ashley McAndrew, State Director-Texas, AUL; Myra Myers, Pro-Life Advocate from Flower Mound; Representative Jim Landtroop (R-Plainview), Author of HCR 74; Victoria Moffett, 14-year old pregnancy care center volunteer from Azle; Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford), Pro-Life Supporter and Victoria's Rep.

IN TEXAS, Care Net and Americans United for Life joined the Texas state legislature in praising the work of pregnancy centers.   The Texas House of Representatives and Senate passed a “Resolution Honoring Pregnancy Care Centers,” thanking the non-profit organizations throughout the state for their tremendous service to women, children, and the community.  The Texas resolution is based on model legislation drafted by Americans United for Life (AUL).

The Texas resolution passed both houses last week, thanks in part to the work of Representative Jim Landtroop who sponsored HCR 74, and Senator Dan Patrick who sponsored SR 827. Texas is the fifth state to honor the self-less work of pregnancy care centers.

AND LOOKING TOWARD THE NORTHEAST, AUL’s McConchie traveled to Maine to testify Tuesday before the state’s Judiciary Committee (Click here to listen to McConchie's testimony.) AUL submitted testimony on three, separate pro-life measures.

A run down of the bills, all of which are based on AUL legal models:

Sponsored by Rep. Tyler Clark, LD116 would require a 24-hour reflection period prior to an abortion to protect women who may feel pressured into the procedure. (Click here to read the full testimony.)   

Sponsored by Rep. Eleanor Espling, LD 924 would require that women be informed on the medical risks of the abortion procedure as well as require a 24-hour reflection period before an abortion. (Click here to read the full testimony.)  

Sponsored by Rep. Dale Crafts, LD 1457 would strengthen consent laws for abortions for girls under the care of their parents or guardians to protect them from sexual predators who might try and arrange an abortion without the protection parents. (Click here to read the testimony.)

“Maine legislators are working to ensure women and girls of their state are protected from sexual predators who might use abortion to cover their crimes and from the abortion industry which may not be honest with women about the repercussions of their choices,” said McConchie. 

In the News 

The ripple effect of Dr. Yoest’s “Five Truths About Planned Parenthood” piece at National Reviewcontinues. Rep. Michele Bachmann made the following tweet on Twitter:

Oklahoma state Sen. Dan Newberry praised AUL in a piece he wrote for Tulsa Today, noting the pro-life accomplishments of the legislature. Click here to read more.