Making Abortions Immune to Attack

This is an eletter from The Family Research Council. Christianity is under severe attack on a variety of different levels.

Refer a Friend | February 20, 2008
Spitzer Spits in the Eye of Life

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer (D) is pushing a bill in his state's legislature that seeks to declare abortion a fundamental right for all women. The bill would make abortions virtually immune to state regulation, end conscience protections, and most likely force the numerous Christian-run hospitals in the state to close rather than be forced to violate their faith by carrying out abortions or referring women to abortuaries. The bill also would expand the field of people who can perform abortions while eliminating the possibility of passing restrictions that have wide public support, such as parental notification, informed consent laws, and waiting periods. Governor Spitzer rose to power in New York State with tremendous support from NARAL and Planned Parenthood, mainly due to his adamant support of abortion and his unbridled hostility towards pregnancy care centers. Coincidentally the two leading Democratic nominees for President, Senators Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barak Obama (R-Ill.) are cosponsors of a similar bill in the U.S. Senate introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calf.) that, if enacted, would effectively overturn most state laws on abortion. States, like Georgia, that are currently trying to reflect the pro-life majority among their population would be left with little choice but to subsidize abortions with taxpayer dollars if this legislation is passed and signed into national law.

Additional Resources
NY Catholic Church launches Campaign against Pro-Abortion Bill


Some Choice the Liberals Oppose

In December of 2002 President Bush issued an executive order which led to protections for faith-based groups that wish to participate in federal programs without sacrificing what many believe to be the key to the success of faith driven programs - a belief in God. Addressing this issue of "charitable choice" last month in his State of the Union speech President Bush called on Congress to "permanently extend Charitable Choice." Next Tuesday the Senate Health Committee is scheduled to take up reauthorization of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Act (SAMHSA). In 2000, Congress put Charitable Choice language into SAMHSA by means of two laws. Now Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) is seeking to weaken Charitable Choice on the argument that it permits "government-funded job discrimination." Charitable Choice exists in law in numerous programs and simply states that a faith-based organization does not lose its exemption permitting religious staffing merely by accepting government funds to provide social services. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 includes that exemption and U.S. courts have upheld the exemption. Please call the Senate Health Committee today and tell them to protect programs that work and stop discriminating against religious organizations, which offer among the most effective and compassionate social services available.

Democrats: Edward Kennedy (Mass.); Christopher Dodd (Conn.); Tom Harkin (Iowa); Barbara A. Mikulski (Md.); Jeff Bingaman (N. Mex.); Patty Murray (Wash.); Jack Reed (R.I.); Hillary Rodham Clinton(N.Y.); Barack Obama (Ill.); Bernard Sanders (I) (Vt.) and Sherrod Brown (Ohio).

Republicans: Michael B. Enzi (Wyo.); Judd Gregg (N.H.); Lamar Alexander (Tenn.); Richard Burr (N.C.); Johnny Isakson (Ga.); Lisa Murkowski (Alaska); Orrin G. Hatch (Utah); Pat Roberts (Kans.); Wayne Allard (Colo.) and Tom Coburn, M.D. (Okla.)


Take Action Now
Contact Your Senator