Backers of Pro-Abortion Health Nominee Sebelius Abuse Swine Flu Concerns
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 27, 2009
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Backers of pro-abortion Health Secretary nominee Kathleen Sebelius are relying on the health care caused by the swine flu epidemic to bolster support for her confirmation vote. The Senate plans to vote on Sebelius’ nomination on Tuesday if it can break a filibuster beforehand.
Sebelius has drawn strong opposition from pro-life advocates because of her long pro-abortion record of vetoing pro-life bills and her close relationship with Kansas-based late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller.
On Monday, some backers of Sebelius, including the SEIU, cited the swine flu scare as a reason to support Obama.
However, even the Obama administration says not having Sebelius as the head of the nation’s health department isn’t causing problems.
"Our response is in no way hindered or hampered by not having a permanent secretary at HHS," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said today. "There are professional staff over there as we speak helping to coordinate this. … Having said that, we’re certainly hopeful that Secretary – soon to be Secretary — Sebelius will be joining them without delay tomorrow."
Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council, weighed in on the latest development in the debate over Sebelius.
"What do sick pigs have to do with widespread, taxpayer-funded abortion? More than you might think," he told LifeNews.com. "As panic spreads over a potential swine flu pandemic, liberals are already scheming how they can use the health scare to win the confirmation of [the] pro-abortion extremist."
"Although the Senate leadership will use the urgency of the flu to try to force Sebelius through the chamber," Perkins said, he told LifeNews.com that Gibbs’ own comments make it clear Sebelius isn’t necessary.
The Senate plans a lengthy eight-hour debate on Sebelius and Perkins says there is plenty of ammunition for senators to use to show why her nomination should be defeated.
That includes "her political relationship with George Tiller, tax evasion, her dishonest testimony at the Senate Finance Committee hearing, her eleventh hour veto of a bill that would have advanced women’s health in Kansas, and her support of third-trimester and taxpayer-funded abortions," he said.
Although Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, is confident that his party can find the 60 votes she needs for confirmation, Perkins says the outcome will be decided by the pro-abortion Republicans and pro-life Democrats and where they stand on the filibuster and confirmation.
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