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Whatever happened to the partial-birth abortion ban? (Analysis)
Catholic World News ^
| 8-8-03
Posted on 08/10/2003 1:12:13 PM PDT by cpforlife.org
Washington, Aug. 08 (CWNews.com) - A federal ban on partial-birth abortion in the US, passed by Congress early in May, has still not become law, because of the obstructive techniques of Democratic legislators.
Although both the House of Representatives and the Senate approved the partial-birth abortion ban by substantial minorities in the spring, and President George Bush has promised that he will sign the bill as soon as it reaches his desk. But Democratic lawmakers have seized on a technicality of the legislative process to stall the bill for three months already-- with no end yet in sight.
The legislation banning partial-birth abortion was passed in slightly different forms in the two houses of Congress. This is a common occurrence, for which Congress has a routine remedy. Ordinarily, minor legislative difference are resolved by a "conference committee" in which delegates from the two houses work out the details of mutually acceptable language.
But in this case, the conference committee has not yet even begun its work. Senate Democrats have stymied that committee with a filibuster.
The filibuster on the partial-birth abortion ban has not drawn nearly as much attention as the similar filibusters that Democrats have used to block the appointment of White House nominees for positions in the federal judiciary. In fact, most Americans would probably be surprised to learn that it is even possible to stage a filibuster on a bill that has already passed through both houses of Congress. Nevertheless, through the use of this distinctly anti-democratic tactic, the Senate Democrats have removed a highly controversial issue from public view, successfully sidetracking a bill that has the clear support not only of Congress but also of an overwhelming public majority.
For liberals in the US Senate, the filibuster has become the preferred method of frustrating majority will. Democratic leaders realize that they have neither the votes nor the authority to block the appointment of a conservative judge, or to overturn a ban on partial-birth abortion. But if they can block the process of legislation and appointments, they can preserve the status quo without undue effort or adverse publicity.
Interestingly enough, the filibuster tactic has been used by Democrats primarily as a means of defending their positions on the so-called "social issues"-- abortion, homosexuality, and related issues. By stopping the appointment of conservative judges, Democrats preserve the liberal tilt of the federal judiciary, where many key battles on "social issues" are decided. By stopping the partial-birth ban, they preserve their preferred policy of abortion on demand. And all this is neatly done without attracting public attention.
But conservatives and Republicans do have an answer to the Democratic tactic-- if they choose to use it.
The filibusters organized by Senate Democrats have taken advantage of a "gentlemen's agreement," under which Republican leaders agree to postpone debate on a given issue when they realize they cannot win a vote to end debate. The Senate then takes up other business, and the controversial matter-- the judicial appointment, or the conference committee work on the partial-birth abortion ban-- is set aside.
By announcing an end to the "gentlemen's agreement," Republican leaders would put Democrats on notice that if they planned a filibuster, they should be preserve to keep talking, day and night, until further notice. The GOP could announce that the Senate will not take up any new business until the current matter is resolved. The business of legislation would then grind to a halt, and the entire world would see that Democrats were blocking the process.
By using this "hardball" tactic, the Republican leadership would also be sending another important message: that they take the "social issues" seriously.
TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: abortion; childsacrifice; holocaust; murder; pba; pbaban2003; satanic
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More proof that the Democrat party has become the party of Satan, the party of death, the party destroying the foundations upon which this Republic was founded.
To: cpforlife.org
More proof too that when Bush isn't selling conservatives down the river, he's not fight for what he does right.
2
posted on
08/10/2003 1:13:55 PM PDT
by
TheAngryClam
(TOM McCLINTOCK is my choice for governor. He should be yours too.)
To: MHGinTN; Coleus; nickcarraway; Mr. Silverback; Canticle_of_Deborah; TenthAmendmentChampion; ...
Please let me know if you want on or off my Pro-Life Ping List.
3
posted on
08/10/2003 1:14:05 PM PDT
by
cpforlife.org
(Abortion is the Choice of Satan, a LIAR and MURDERER from the beginning.)
To: Jim Robinson
PING
4
posted on
08/10/2003 1:14:39 PM PDT
by
cpforlife.org
(Abortion is the Choice of Satan, a LIAR and MURDERER from the beginning.)
To: cpforlife.org
At the Demonstration for the runaway 11 Texas Senators, yesterday, one of our members (not me, this is hearsay, I'll admit) saw a sign that said, "Pay for Abortions, not Parochial Schools."
5
posted on
08/10/2003 1:15:18 PM PDT
by
hocndoc
(Choice is the # 1 killer in the US)
Comment #6 Removed by Moderator
To: hocndoc
She went out in the crowd to take a picture of the sign.
7
posted on
08/10/2003 1:17:29 PM PDT
by
CindyDawg
To: hocndoc
I would not be suprised. They certianly put that into practice.
8
posted on
08/10/2003 1:18:19 PM PDT
by
cpforlife.org
(Abortion is the Choice of Satan, a LIAR and MURDERER from the beginning.)
To: TheAngryClam; cpforlife.org
What does it take for the Republicans to stand up to obstruction?
How do we know the Feds won't break quorum as our Texas Demos have?
And why doesn't the President make Recess appointments?
9
posted on
08/10/2003 1:19:06 PM PDT
by
hocndoc
(Choice is the # 1 killer in the US)
To: cpforlife.org
please don't do that
10
posted on
08/10/2003 1:19:49 PM PDT
by
hocndoc
(Choice is the # 1 killer in the US)
To: hocndoc
What does it take for the Republicans to stand up to obstruction? A lot of folks like me.
No ban, no money.
11
posted on
08/10/2003 1:20:42 PM PDT
by
jwalsh07
To: Uncle Bill
Hello Uncle,
Thought you might like to see this.
12
posted on
08/10/2003 1:22:06 PM PDT
by
cpforlife.org
(Abortion is the Choice of Satan, a LIAR and MURDERER from the beginning.)
To: hocndoc
Dear hocndoc,
"please don't do that" Do you find that picture offensive?
It is authentic and has been around for years.
13
posted on
08/10/2003 1:29:16 PM PDT
by
cpforlife.org
(Abortion is the Choice of Satan, a LIAR and MURDERER from the beginning.)
To: cpforlife.org
I want a federal civil rights action, on behalf of babies, against every person performing a partial-birth abortion. Or any abortion, for that matter. The children's civil rights are being violated, pure and simple. Can YOU think of a better time/place for a civil rights action? I can't.
To: Tax Government
Also, there needs to be a special, pain-free but very public way to dispatch people who perform abortions. I suggest strapping them to 20 sticks of dynamite, throwing them out of a plane on a clear night, and detonating by remote control.
To: Tax Government
16
posted on
08/10/2003 1:38:40 PM PDT
by
cpforlife.org
(Abortion is the Choice of Satan, a LIAR and MURDERER from the beginning.)
To: cpforlife.org
By announcing an end to the "gentlemen's agreement," Republican leaders would put Democrats on notice that if they planned a filibuster, they should be preserve to keep talking, day and night, until further notice. The GOP could announce that the Senate will not take up any new business until the current matter is resolved. The business of legislation would then grind to a halt, and the entire world would see that Democrats were blocking the process. By using this "hardball" tactic, the Republican leadership would also be sending another important message: that they take the "social issues" seriously That would take courage and a real desire to end the slaughter of babies. Somthing I don't believe the republican party really has or wants to do.
To: kentuckyusa
You are right. Sadly, they prove it almost daily.
If only there was a way to donate some Freeper Spine to them, we have plenty to spare and it would do us all much good!
18
posted on
08/10/2003 1:44:58 PM PDT
by
cpforlife.org
(Abortion is the Choice of Satan, a LIAR and MURDERER from the beginning.)
To: cpforlife.org
I find it offensive, too.
To: cpforlife.org; scripter
Bump & Ping
20
posted on
08/10/2003 1:51:25 PM PDT
by
EdReform
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