Pro-Abortion Republican Senators Block Pro-Life Judicial Nominee

Lifenews.com ^ | November 20, 2003 | Steven Ertelt

[nickcarraway]

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Senate Republicans are doing everything possible to stop a filibuster by pro-abortion lawmakers and give President Bush's pro-life appeals court nominees an up or down vote. That's what makes it strange that some Republican senators are holding up the nomination of the president of a pro-life organization from being confirmed.

President Bush nominated Leon Holm's, an attorney and former president of Arkansas Right to Life, for a seat on the U.S. District Court in Arkansas.

In April, the Senate Judiciary Committee, on a 10-9 party line vote, passed on the nomination to the Senate floor for consideration. That's as far as Holmes' nomination has gotten thanks to a small group of pro-abortion senators.

Pro-abortion Republican senators Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine are playing the role of obstructionists this time.

Specter, who is facing a challenge in the 2004 Senate primary from pro-life Congressman Pat Toomey, blocked a Senate vote in April and the three continue to object.

They oppose Holmes in part because of his comments on rape and abortion.

Holmes has said abortion advocates who say abortion should be legal for cases of rape and incest are using the argument as a “red herring” because “conceptions from rape occur with approximately the same frequency as snowfall in Miami.”

According to the National Abortion Federation, a coalition of abortion businesses, about 16,000 women each year have abortions because they have become pregnant as a result of rape or incest. Approximately 5.4 percent of rape victims become pregnant.

What makes their opposition to Holmes' nomination more odd is that some Democrats have indicated they will vote to confirm him -- including his home state senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln -- both Arkansas Democrats who support abortion.

Last Friday, at the conclusion of a 40-hour long debate on Bush's appeals court nominees, Pryor asked the Senate to vote on Holmes' nomination but was overruled.

Though many Democrats may vote against the nomination, they are willing to cast a vote -- possibly because they know at least three Republicans will vote against him and the chance Holmes will be defeated is more likely.

"All systems are go on this side," Pryor said. "I have talked to my Democratic colleagues and we are ready to vote Mr. Holmes up or down."

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle also said Senate Democrats would not object to a vote.

Therefore all that remains is for Senate Republicans leaders to get Specter, Snowe and Collins to drop their objections and allow a vote on Holmes.

ACTION: If you live in Pennsylvania or Maine, call Senators Specter, Snowe and Collins and urge them to allow a vote on Holmes' nomination. Senator Collins: (202) 224-2523; Senator Snowe: (202) 224-5344; Senator Specter: (202) 224-4254.

[JohnnyZ]

Kay Bailey had some problems with him too. Apparently hers have been resolved.

[.cnI redruM]

Go Toomey!

[Always Right]

We need to get three more Republican Senators just so we have a majority....

[FirstPrinciple]

What are the guarantees they wont be like the ones you dont like?

[Xthe17th]

As far as I'm concerned, when I count 'em up, Sphincter, Collins, Snowe, Chaffee, and McInsane ARE all Democrats. Lamar and Hatch are sometimes counted as well. So we really only have 51-7=44 reliable Repub senators. For all intents and purposes, we need Toomey, and wins in NC, SC, GA, FL, SD, and WA just to get back to a majority. Additional wins in CA and WI will cover probable losses in AK and IL. The GOP NEEDS NINE (9) WINS next year - certainly has their work cut out!

[Paul Atreides]

Pro-abortion Republican senators Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine are playing the role of obstructionists this time.

Ah, the same old faithful bunch, always raining on the parade.

[avg_freeper]

According to the National Abortion Federation, a coalition of abortion businesses, about 16,000 women each year have abortions because they have become pregnant as a result of rape or incest. Approximately 5.4 percent of rape victims become pregnant.

This would seem to imply that there are more than 300,000 rapes per year. Add to that those who didn't seek to have an abortion. Assume its not the same half million or so women who get raped each year. Based on all that, I would have to believe that nearly every woman has been raped at least once.

[EternalVigilance]

Yep.

[nickcarraway]

Every single statistic I've seen indicates that less than 2% of all abortion come from rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the Mother. Planned Parenthood's own numbers confirm this.

Interestingly, Planned Parenthood's research wing found that 90% of women who got abortions said they were forced to...

[shhrubbery!]

This would seem to imply that there are more than 300,000 rapes per year. Add to that those who didn't seek to have an abortion. Assume its not the same half million or so women who get raped each year. Based on all that, I would have to believe that nearly every woman has been raped at least once.

Great analysis! I was about to post something similar, but your reply is better.

Abortuaries are not required to keep records, so they only come up with numbers when it suits them. This statistic is likely pulled out of thin air, just like the so-called stats about the number of women being beaten during the Super Bowl, and the number of women who die from anorexia each year.

[davisfh]

"Pro-abortion Republican senators Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine are playing the role of obstructionists this time."

Why in the hell don't these three just join Jumpin Jim Jeffords as an independent (read that Democrat Party)?

[FirstPrinciple]

Don't blame these Senators. Blame the people who elect them. I have never been to Maine, and have never met anyone from there. Well, I did see Stephen King one time. But the point is, who knows what the local politics is like there. Maybe, they are as conservative as Maine can get. As for Specter, I am kind of surprised how Specter and Santorum can represent the same state. Reminds me of perverse interests in voting for someone. If you are complaining about supposed camel's nose under the tent, then your point is well taken.

[ex-snook]

"we need Toomey, "

But how to understand that the National GOP organization including Cheney is supporting Sphincter.

[itsahoot]

But how to understand that the National GOP organization including Cheney is supporting Sphincter.

Not hard at all, after all the important thing is (R) beside their name.

[pickyourpoison]

I had a doctor tell me it's almost impossible to get pregnant when raped. He said a female has to be relaxed for pregnancy to occur.
He also said that suicide rates were higher in women who've had abortions.
Bet they don't tell you that at the clinic.

[ex-snook]

"Not hard at all, after all the important thing is (R) beside their name. "

Hey but Toomey has the 'R' beside his name too. If Cheney is as conservative as he wants us to think, then he shouldn't be supporting Sphincter.

[nickcarraway]

I don't think it's impossible, but it is less likely.

[traditional1]

You got that right !