Pro-Life Groups Applaud House Vote for Obamacare Repeal

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jan 19, 2011   |   7:45PM   |   Washington, DC

Several pro-life groups are responding to this afternoon’s vote approving legislation to repeal Obamacare, the health care “reform” bill that allows abortion funding and has rationing concerns.

Susan B. Anthony List president Marjorie Dannenfelser:

“The problems allowing taxpayer funded abortion in the health care law passed last Spring still exist.  President Obama’s executive order claiming to fix the abortion funding problems in the bill neglects to address the accounting gimmick and does not carry the weight of law – something former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel admitted earlier this week.

“Today’s vote to repeal the pro-abortion health care law is the first step in rescinding the greatest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade. We must avail ourselves of every opportunity to protect American taxpayers from being complicit in abortion. The electorate sent this message loud and clear last November and, most notably, in districts were self-described pro-life Democrats who voted for health care were defeated.  The Republican leadership is listening. That is the first step in righting a grave wrong.

“We urge the pro-life House to now vote for the replacement resolution that instructs committees to put forth legislation that, among other provisions, will provide sufficient statutory protection for the unborn and the conscience of health care workers.”

The American Center for Law and Justice:

“This vote is historic and reaches far beyond symbolism by reflecting the will of the American people,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ.  “A clear majority of members in the House – as well as most Americans – understand that health care reform must happen, but the pro-abortion, government run ObamaCare falls short in so many areas.  This repeal vote emphasizes a legislative commitment to derail ObamaCare – whether it’s through the repeal process or, as some are advocating, by defunding the law.  The legislative action coupled with the significant legal hurdles can only result in one outcome: an end to ObamaCare, a fresh start for health care reform.”

Students for Life of America president Kristan Hawkins:

“Today’s historic vote to repeal Obamacare is a step forward in the direction of Life. While all Americans are in need of quality and affordable health care, that need should not be valued over the lives of innocent preborn Americans.

Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act  was the most pro-abortion piece of legislation in American history. Today, Congress showed that preborn Americans are finally represented in our nation’s capitol. I look forward to the House debate on how to bring meaningful pro-life health care reform that respects all human life. America now looks to Senator Harry Reid to allow the same up or down vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate.”

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins:

“The American people, the House of Representatives and 26 states have sent a message that President Obama and the U.S. Senate would be unwise to ignore: ‘Repeal’ is the only response to the incompetence found throughout the health care takeover law. We applaud the House for recognizing that the Constitution does not empower the federal government to command American citizens to spend their own personal money to purchase health insurance.

“The House also voted to stop a massive expansion of abortion funding under the new health care law. In a meeting earlier this week with the Chicago Tribune editorial board, Rahm Emanuel finally admitted that President Obama’s executive order on abortion funding does not ‘exist by law.’ It’s now obvious that from the very beginning, that the Obama Administration had no intention of preventing federal funding of abortion. The American people, regardless of their view of the underlying issue, should not be forced to pay for someone’s abortion.

“FRC commends Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, for leading the way in returning America’s health care to the doctors and patients involved, and working to ensure that taxpayers are not forced to pay for abortions.”

Concerned Women for America:

“The energy from conservative prolife Congresswomen was palatable after the repeal vote tonight.  We are excited that this oppressive law is in the process of being overturned.  We call on the Senate to quickly follow suit.  Americans shouldn’t be forced to purchase healthcare that may not need or want nor should they be forced to subsidize abortion.” 

Project 21: 

“Today’s bipartisan vote in the House to repeal ObamaCare is not an end to the debate but a beginning. Although conservatives likely have little chance of completely overturning the liberal power grab they called health care reform right now with this particular bill, the symbolism should be applauded.

“ObamaCare ought to be repealed, but not because of the results of the mid-term elections nor current political polls. ObamaCare needs to be repealed because the bill passed last March is flawed, partisan and premised on — to put it mildly — questionable constitutional grounds. Lawmakers must go on record now and often to advocate the repeal of all or parts of this scheme. The debate must not die. Those who want to kill the debate prematurely do so only because they realize the truth is not on their side.”