Pro-Abortion Groups Threaten to Yank Election Funding for Pro-Stupak Lawmakers

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Nov 13, 2009   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Pro-Abortion Groups Threaten to Yank Election Funding for Pro-Stupak Lawmakers

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
November 13
, 2009

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Members of Congress voted to protect the pocketbooks of taxpayers from having the government use them as a funding source for abortions. But for the pro-abortion lawmakers who supported the Stupak amendment to the health care bill, their own pocketbooks may be in jeopardy.

That’s because leading pro-abortion groups Planned Parenthood and NARAL are threatening to revoke campaign funding for two pro-abortion lawmakers who backed the amendment.

Reps. Ciro Rodriguez and Harry Teague, Democrats from Texas and New Mexico, have received campaign financing from the abortion advocacy groups.

But NARAL political director Elizabeth Shipp is upset and tells The Hill that they will pay a price if they don’t shape up the next time the House votes on the bill, which may or may not include the amendment.

“We have reached out to these members and will inform them that there will be consequences for not standing with us on this vote,” Shipp said. “Our expectation is that they will see how the Stupak amendment adversely affects women and reconsider their position if the issue comes before the House again.”

Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards told The Hill that the abortion business is "very disappointed" with the two lawmakers.

“We hope they stand up in the future to protect women’s health, and we will continue to work with them and others to strip out this amendment that takes away benefits that women have today, so true health reform can move forward,” Richards said.

Teague would have problems if abortion advocates withdraw funding and election support because he faces a competitive challenge next year from pro-life former Rep. Steve Pearce.

In a statement to the Capitol Hill newspaper, he said he supports the idea of not making taxpayers fund abortions even though he is pro-abortion.

“The Stupak amendment applies existing law, which bars federal funding for abortion, to the healthcare reform bill,” Teague said. “I am committed to upholding a woman’s right to choose, but I also believe that we should continue to uphold the law that for 33 years has barred federal funding of abortions.”

The fallout from the Stupak amendment vote has produced turmoil in the pro-abortion ranks as former activists threaten a Democratic Party revolt.

Others are involved in a civil war questioning both pro-abortion Congressional leaders and leading pro-abortion groups.

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