Missouri House Urges President Obama, Congress to Oppose FOCA Abortion Bill
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 11, 2009
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) — The Missouri state House has approved a resolution condemning the Freedom of Choice Act, a Congressional bill that would make unlimited abortions a national law. The resolution urges President Barack Obama and Congress to oppose the measure, which would reverse hundreds of pro-life laws.
While the nonbinding resolution doesn’t have the force of law, it is a way for elected officials on the state level to voice their opinion as a group.
Springfield Rep. Bob Dixon introduced the resolution and the Missouri House approved it on a 116-40 vote on Wednesday.
The measure says pro-life Missouri laws that limit abortions and have helped reduce abortions in the state over the last two decades by as much as half are in jeopardy if the Congressional bill becomes law.
The FOCA bill was introduced in 2007 but has not yet been introduced in Congress. Pro-life groups are concerned that abortion advocates will try to piecemeal the legislation or attach it to another unrelated bill to make it easier to get approved.
Dixon worries the bill will overturn state laws such as parental consent and health requirements for abortion businesses that protect women and have forced the closing of some unsafe abortion centers.
"The vast majority of Missourians will agree that any federal legislation that would encourage partial-birth abortion or invalidate any current state laws dealing with partial-birth abortion should never be given serious consideration," Dixon said.
"We hope to send a message to our federal delegation that we are counting on them to do the right thing," he added.
Missouri Right to Life applauded the vote afterwards.
The group said the measure will "send a clear message that Missouri stands opposed, with bi-partisan support, to the so-called Freedom of Choice Act."
The House resolution does not need a Senate vote or a signature by the governor and it is immediately sent to President Obama, Congressional leaders and members of the Missouri delegation.
Dixon thanked members for their support and singled out Rep. Belinda Harris, a Democrat from Hillsboro, for her help.
Related web sites:
Missouri Right to Life – https://www.missourilife.org
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