2009-07-31
View this Press Release online at:
http://www.frcaction.org/index.cfm?i=PR09G05&f=PR09G05
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2009 CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or
Maria Donovan, (866) FRC-NEWS
House Measure Proves Healthcare Legislation Will Fund
Abortion
Date: July 31, 2009 - Friday
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last night, U.S. Rep. Lois Capps
(D-Calif.) introduced an amendment to the Democratic
leadership's health care bill, H.R. 3200, that would
specifically include abortion in the health care
legislation, solidifying the radical pro-abortion nature of
this bill. Family Research Council Action President Tony
Perkins had this to say on the late night shenanigans in the
House Energy and Commerce Committee mark up:
"It has been clear to many that the health bills moving
through Congress would fund abortion services and mandate
coverage for abortion, jumping well beyond the current law
which prohibits the funding or subsidizing of abortion.
"While many abortion proponents claimed we were incorrect in
our conclusions, even the most strident deniers would have
to agree the amendment offered by Rep. Capps puts the matter
to rest. The Capps measure would include both abortion
coverage and funding in the 'public option' and the private
plans that would be part of the bills' 'Exchange' provision.
"The current health care bill is one huge abortion edict.
Adding subterfuge to subterfuge, after an amendment by Rep.
Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) to prevent
mandatory abortion coverage in public or private plans
passed in the committee, Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.)
called a re-vote on the amendment and Tennessee Democrat
Bart Gordon switched his vote to the pro-abortion side.
"Even those who claim abortion is not included cannot
possibly deny that abortion is explicitly in the legislation
because of the Capps amendment. Seventy-one percent of
Americans, according to recent polling data, do not want
legislation to require insurers to cover abortion, putting
the House legislation at complete odds with the will of
those they are supposed to represent. Six Democrats, led by
Rep. Stupak, held their ground and fought to keep the status
quo by keeping government out of the abortion industry. FRC
Action commends them.
"Americans need to hold those who want them to pay for
abortion in a public plan to account," said Perkins.