Capitol Hill Abortion Rhetoric Heats Up
Capitol Hill Abortion Rhetoric Heats Up
February 10, 2011
By: Shannon Bream
As three different pro-life, GOP-sponsored measures wind through theHouse, pro-choice Democrats are firing back, calling the bills"extremely dangerous."
Capitol Hill Abortion Rhetoric Heats Up
February 10, 2011
By: Shannon Bream
As three different pro-life, GOP-sponsored measures wind through theHouse, pro-choice Democrats are firing back, calling the bills"extremely dangerous."
The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), would take away tax benefits for employers who provide health care if the plans offer abortion coverage. The Protect Life Act,introduced by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), is aimed at those who would getinsurance through state exchanges. It would block those consumers frompurchasing abortion coverage.
Wednesday, Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) called the measures"draconian" and "despicable," and warned that they would allow hospitals to deny life-saving abortions to dying women. Slaughter was joined by a number of pro-choice Democrats who voiced similar concerns.
"The Republican leadership has prioritized divisive and extremelegislation, and we will just not stand for it," said Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), adding, "We don't think the American people will either."
A third GOP bill, backed by Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), aims to blockhealth clinics, specifically Planned Parenthood, from receiving federalfunding if they perform abortions. Pence says the American public is"learning that their taxpayer dollars are subsidizing theseorganizations that are promoting abortion across this country."
DeGette was among the Democrats Wednesday asking why Republicans aremore focused on defunding Planned Parenthood than on creating jobs.
"It's getting in the way of how we need to move our country forward with job creation," said DeGette.
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) argued Wednesday that all three bills runcounter to a core GOP principle. Nadler says Republicans have lecturedDemocrats for years about "the overreach of government into people'sprivate lives." He believes the measures they're now offering are "theheight of hypocrisy."
Nadler argues that Republicans "would have the federal governmentintervene in the private and personal medical decisions of women."
Republicans say their intention is not to block access to abortions, but to make sure that taxpayers aren't forced to fund them.
The battle on the Hill is playing out as Ohio considers what couldbecome the most restrictive law in the nation: no abortions permittedonce a heartbeat is detected, as early as 18 days after conception.
State Representative Lynn Wachtmann (R) formally introduced the billWednesday. He has also been criticized for prioritizing an abortionmeasure over economic bills. Wachtmann responded today that he will"always put life first."