Pro-Life Groups Decry Senate Passage of Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 24, 2009
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — The following is a collection of comments from various pro-life groups that contacted LifeNews.com with comments following the Senate passage of the government-run health care bill that funds abortions and could require insurance companies to cover them.
Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America, stated, "No senator with an ounce of integrity can be proud of this bill or how it was passed. It marks among the lowest points in the U.S. Senate’s history. Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of the Democrats’ health care bill and distrust how the Democrats passed it. The bill will fund abortions."
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins made the following comments: "Today’s Christmas Eve vote may signal the end of the debate in the Senate, but it’s far from the end of the debate at large. Since Senator Reid’s bad bill is substantially different from the House’s bad bill, the lower chamber will have to vote on the plan again. The Senate bill’s massive funding for elective abortions and the construction of abortion facilities are among the most radical differences."
"On Monday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius admitted in an interview that the Senate health care bill will force ‘everybody’ in the exchange to pay an abortion premium. The so-called Nelson ‘compromise’ ensures that everyone will pay for abortion–no matter how the funds are divided up," Perkins continued. "According to a new Quinnipiac poll, Americans–by a huge three to one margin–are overwhelmingly opposed to using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion."
"Disagreement over abortion funding is one of the many reasons this fight is far from over. Both House and Senate versions of the bill are seriously flawed. Both bills still allow rationing of health care for seniors, raise health costs for families, mandate that families purchase under threat of fines and penalties, offer counsel about assisted suicide in some states, do not offer broad conscience protections for health care workers and seek to insert the federal government into all aspects of citizen’s lives," he concluded.
Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser offered the following statement: "On Christmas Eve, the U.S. Senate gave Americans a gift no one wants: abortion for all, at taxpayer-expense. Even more tragic, they can thank self-described ‘pro-life’ senators like Ben Nelson, Bob Casey, Jr., and Harry Reid for paving the way for legislation that will open the floodgates for the greatest expansion of government-backed abortion since Roe v. Wade."
"Today’s vote was a career-affecting vote. The senators who voted to advance this legislation should consider themselves on notice. Votes have consequences, and the Susan B. Anthony List will use all the resources at our disposal to educate their constituents about today’s result. As this debate moves forward, pro-life House members would do well to consider the impact of their own votes. Abortion is never good for women, and it should never be a legitimate aspect of any ‘health care’ debate," Dannenfelser added.
House Republican Leader John Boehner: Not even Ebenezer Scrooge himself could devise a scheme as cruel and greedy as Democrats’ government takeover of health care. Senator Reid’s health care bill … authorizes taxpayer-funded abortions, violating long-standing federal policy. It’s no coincidence that the more the American people learn about this monstrosity, the more they oppose it."
Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ – “The Senate bill fails the American people in many ways including the scheme that gives a green light for federal funds to pay for elective abortions. This Christmas Eve vote underscores what’s wrong with the legislative process and efforts to reform health care. Under the cover of the holiday, when most Americans have their attention elsewhere, the Senate adopts a flawed measure that puts the federal government at the center of what should be private and personal health care decisions.”
Sekulow added: “Now, as efforts begin to work out the differences between the Senate and House bills, we encourage pro-life members of the U.S. House – who ensured passage of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment – to once again stand-up and protect the sanctity of human life. The final bill must include real protections for the unborn. And, it must offer the American people a plan that is sensible and affordable. Without significant changes, Congress should reject this government-run, pro-abortion effort. It’s time to stop the political deal-making and posturing and listen to the American people.”
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life: "Apparently a Senate bill that unleashes unprecedented funding for abortions is the Senate’s idea of a Christmas gift. Given that taxpayers oppose public funding of abortion by a three- to-one margin, perhaps next November Senators will learn just how offensive their gift is. Beginning immediately, Priests for Life is mobilizing voters to put the right to life first in every election."
Dorinda Bordlee, Bioethics Defense Fund – "The Congress is now in recess. As we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, it is important to remember that the health care battle is far from over. The Christmas Eve Senate passage of the abortion-subsidizing Senate bill does not mean that Congressional consideration of health reform is complete."
Barth Bracy, director of Rhode Island Right to Life – “I have no idea why Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse are in such a hurry to come home for Christmas. Their unwavering support for federally funded abortion-on-demand indicates that they have no clue what Christmas is about."
American Family Association of Pennsylvania: "Today United States Senators Arlen Specter and Robert Casey, Jr. handed Pennsylvanians their Christmas gift. Unfortunately, it was simply a gag gift as that is the reaction of the majority of Pennsylvanians who saw their trust betrayed by these Senators. Senators Specter and Casey ignored the tens of thousands of e-mails and phone calls.
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