Sam Brownback was a passionate pro-lifer, both as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, so it came as no surprise that when he became Kansas’ 46th governor in 2011, his dedication to the cause of unborn babies was undiminished.
Equally unsurprising is a letter of encouragement Gov. Brownback sent today to pro-life President Donald Trump, pro-life Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), and pro-life Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
In his letter, Brownback asks the President and the Congressional leaders to “grasp the opportunity to proclaim and protect the dignity of life.” He address four pieces of legislation.
*Defunding Planned Parenthood
*Pain-Capable Act
*Dismemberment Abortion Ban
*Sex-Selective Abortion Ban
Defunding Planned Parenthood is a top congressional priority. PPFA, the largest (by far) abortion provider receives over a half-billion dollars from the federal treasury annually. In a weekly press conference Speaker Ryan said ending taxpayer funding would be included in the budget reconciliation legislation. Last year pro-abortion President Barack Obama vetoed similar legislation.
SIGN THE PETITION! Congress Must De-Fund Planned Parenthood Immediately
The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act has been introduced by pro-life Rep. Trent Franks (R-Az.), and has 74 co-sponsors. It passed the House in 2015. It was introduced in the Senate by pro-life Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) but passage was waylaid by the Senate practice of requiring 60 votes to pass “controversial” legislation. The bill is based on model legislation provided by NRLC.
The Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act was reintroduced yesterday by Rep. Chris Smith. It was introduced last year in the Senate by pro-life Senator James Lankford (R-Ok.) and in the House by Rep. Smith (R-N.J.), a veteran legislator who is co-chairman of the House Pro-Life Caucus, with Vicki Hartzler (R-Mo.), Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), and Trent Franks (R-Az.) as original cosponsors. The bill is also based on model legislation provided by NRLC.
Sex-Selective Abortion Ban [the “Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act”] was also introduced last month by Rep. Franks. It has 55 co-sponsors. The measure failed in 2012 in the House, not because it did not get an overwhelming number of votes–246 to 168–but because it was considered under rules that required a two-thirds majority for passage.
Jennifer Popik, JD, NRLC Federal Legislative Director, told NRL News Today that NRLC applauds Gov. Brownback for encouraging Congress and the president to enact pro-life laws.
“National Right to Life is working closely with congressional leaders who are committed to passing protective legislation,” Popik said. Be sure to read NRL News Today for the latest exciting developments.
LifeNews.com Note: Dave Andrusko is the editor of National Right to Life News and an author and editor of several books on abortion topics. This post originally appeared in at National Right to Life News Today —- an online column on pro-life issues.
