Posted on 09/08/2003 8:14:29 AM PDT by bedolido
WASHINGTON (Talon News) -- The pro-abortion group NARAL is attempting to mobilize their supporters in opposition to several pieces of legislation under consideration in the upcoming session of Congress.
Labeling September as "anti-choice month," NARAL warns supporters in an e-mail to "speak out and try and stop" measures that would protect the lives of unborn children. The NARAL e-mail, with the subject "Please Protect a Woman's Right to Choose," was sent to abortion supporters to be distributed to Congressmen regarding the upcoming legislative debate on abortion legislation.
The e-mail expresses "serious concern" regarding "numerous attacks in Congress on privacy rights and a woman's right to choose." In particular, the e-mail urges opposition to several upcoming bills, including the "so-called 'partial-birth' abortion ban (H.R.760/S.3), the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (H.R.1997/S.1019), and the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (H.R.4691)."
"Government should not interfere in private medical decisions," the e-mail states. "However, the bills, nominations, and funding decisions before Congress would do just that. I support legislation that protects women's health and ability to make private medical decisions in consultation with a health professional - in the United States and around the world. I also support a fair and moderate judiciary that will uphold decisions like Roe v. Wade and protect a woman's right to privacy."
Each of these pieces of legislation are expected to be considered by the end of September:
The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, or H.R. 760, would ban the procedure known as partial-birth abortion. This legislation was introduced by Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) and has 161 co-sponsors in the U.S. House. After a House Resolution proposed by Rep. Sue Myrick requesting consideration for H.R. 760 passed 280-138, the bill subsequently passed the House by a vote of 282-139.
The Senate version of the bill, S. 3, was introduced by Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and has 45 co-sponsors in the U.S. Senate. The bill is in conference between the House and Senate working on modifications to the legislation.
Santorum says the partial-birth abortion procedure is "never medically necessary, not taught in any medical school in this country, not recommended." Nevertheless, he said, over 2,200 of them are performed every year.
The Unborn Victims of Violence Act, or H.R. 1997, would amend title 18, United States Code and the Uniform Code Of Military Justice to be extended to include protection of unborn children from assault and murder, and for other purposes.
Also known as "Laci and Conner's Law," named after Laci Peterson and her unborn baby whose bodies were found in the San Francisco Bay in April, this bill was submitted by Rep. Melissa A. Hart (R-PA) with 131 co-sponsors. The bill was forwarded to the Full Committee from the Subcommittee by a vote of 6-3.
The Senate version of the bill, S. 1019, was brought up by Sen. Michael DeWine (R-OH) and has 36 co-sponsors. It has been read on the Senate floor and is on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Another DeWine-sponsored bill, S. 146, which would amend titles 10 and 18, United States Code, to protect unborn victims of violence, has 25 co-sponsors and has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), who is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, says this bill would make a real impact on abortion rights in America.
"They say it undermines abortion rights. It does undermine it," Hatch admitted. "But that's irrelevant. We're concerned here about a woman and her child. ... The partisan arguments over abortion should not stop a bill that protects women and children."
The Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, or H.R. 4691, amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the government from discriminating against health care providers because they refuse to perform abortions. It was introduced by Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) and passed by a vote of 229-189 last year. The updated version of the bill has not yet been submitted to the House. No Senate action has been taken on this bill yet.
After the bill passed the House last year, Michael Schwartz of Concerned Women for America made an interesting observation regarding those who voted against the measure.
"This was an easy vote for pro-life House members, but what mystifies me is how pro-abortion members, who wrap themselves in the rhetoric of 'choice,' could have so little regard for conscience that they would vote to force people to commit abortions," said CWA's vice president for government relations.
President Bush has promised to sign all of these bills into law if they are passed by Congress.
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