Dear Friend,
We are pleased to bring to your attention several positive Congressional and Administration actions from late last week.
First, last Friday, on the day of the March for Life, the House of Representatives voted 241-183 to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 4712). You can see how your Representative voted here. Thanks to all who quickly responded to our action alert last week. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued a statement thanking and praising the House and calling on the Senate to pass it as well. We urge you to send a note of thanks if your Representative voted for the bill and a note of disappointment if they voted against it.
Second, last Thursday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights announced its establishment of a Division on Conscience and Religious Freedom. This new Division was created to more vigorously and effectively enforce existing laws protecting the rights of conscience and religious freedom. More information on this new Division can be seen here.
Third, on Friday, in his address to the March for Life, President Trump announced two additional actions:
- HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is issuing new guidance to state Medicaid directors restoring state flexibility to decide program standards. The letter issued last Friday rescinds the Obama Administration's 2016 guidance that specifically restricted states’ ability to take certain actions against family-planning providers that offer abortion services.
- HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is announcing a new proposed rule to enforce 25 existing statutory conscience protections for Americans involved in HHS-funded programs, which protect people from being coerced into participating in activities that violate their consciences, such as abortion, sterilization, or assisted suicide.
Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty, offered a joint statement applauding these actions but also pointing out the need for Congress to enact the Conscience Protection Act to provide permanent legislative protections for victims of discrimination, as well as the ability to defend their rights in court. Without further action from Congress, the protection of these rights may only be short-lived.
Fourth, President Trump issued a proclamation naming January 22nd Sanctity of Human Life Day. The proclamation can be seen here.
Finally, we anticipate that the Senate will soon take up the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, though a vote has not yet been scheduled by Leader McConnell. We will be in touch when a date has been confirmed. Thanks for all you are doing to urge your Senators to vote for it. Please continue contacting them until the vote occurs. You can read Cardinal Dolan’s letter to the Senate here.
Sincerely,
Brian
----
Brian Duggan
Executive Director
bduggan@nchla.org
240-478-0794 mobile
|
|
|
|
