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Americans United for Life

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Americans United for Life

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Changing Law to Protect Human Life, State by State

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VIDEO: Sen. Hatch Reads Score Letter of AUL Action (1)

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*VIDEO: Sen. Hatch Reads Score Letter of AUL Action - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 21, 2009, 2:46 pm

On the floor of the U.S. Senate, Sen. Hatch reads Americans United for Life’s sister organization AUL Action’s score letter to Senators reminding them of the importance of their cloture vote regarding the issue of abortion in health care reform addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aul.org%2F2009%2F11%2F21%2Fvideo-sen-hatch-reads-score-letter-of-aul-action%2F'; addthis_title = 'VIDEO%3A+Sen.+Hatch+Reads+Score+Letter+of+AUL+Action'; addthis_pub = 'MatthewEpp';

*Senate Colloquy on abortion - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 21, 2009, 1:27 pm

Senators Hatch (UT), Brownback (KS), and Johanns (NB) are having an excellent colloquy on the Senate Floor right now. � They are discussing: the current status of federal law on abortion funding and coverage; why the Stupak-Pitts Amendment language is needed to preserve existing, established law; and why the Reid language is not sufficient. They are answering the objections made against the Stupak-Pitts language. � They have clarified that women who want to purchase insurance that covers abortio

Senator Hatch reading AUL Action's score letter on the Senate Floor - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 21, 2009, 1:39 pm

Senator Hatch is reading, word for word, our sister organization AUL Action’s score letter on the Senate Floor. addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aul.org%2F2009%2F11%2F21%2Fsenator-hatch-reading-aul-actions-score-letter-on-the-senate-floor%2F'; addthis_title = 'Senator+Hatch+reading+AUL+Action%26%238217%3Bs+score+letter+on+the+Senate+Floor'; addthis_pub = 'MatthewEpp';

*Colloquy continued - - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 21, 2009, 1:43 pm

Senators Hatch, Brownback, and Johanns are discussing polls which show that Americans over-whelmingly oppose abortion funding by the government. � Senator Hatch is reading personal letters from Americans who oppose federally funded abortion and support strong conscience protection. addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aul.org%2F2009%2F11%2F21%2Fcolloquy-continued%2F'; addthis_title = 'Colloquy+continued%26%238230%3B'; addthis_pub = 'MatthewEpp';

*Wrap-up of Colloquy - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 21, 2009, 1:59 pm

Senator Johanns is emphasizing that the Stupak-Pitts language is NOT in the Senate bill. � Therefore, it is not likely to be in the final bill (once the Senate version is reconciled with the House version). � He said that there are not enough prolife senators to add this provision to the bill. Senator Johanns argues that the most important pro-life vote that a Senator will cast will be on tonight’s cloture vote on the motion to proceed. � He highlighted that over 97% of bills that require

*Pro-life Senators to begin discussing pro-abortion provisions in Reid Bill at 1:00 p.m. EST - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 21, 2009, 1:03 pm

Tune in to C-SPAN 2 at 1:00 p.m. EST to hear pro-life Senators discuss the pro-abortion provisions in Majority Leader Reid’s health care reform bill. � Remember, the Reid bill: Allows the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to require coverage of any and all abortions through the public option. Creates new federally-funded subsidies for private health plans that cover abortion. Requires every insurance market to include a private plan that covers abortion. � � Fails to sufficientl

*Crucial vote on health care TOMORROW - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 20, 2009, 5:45 pm

At 8:00 p.m. tomorrow night, the Senate is expected to vote on cloture on the Motion to Proceed to debate on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's pro-abortion health care bill. � Sixty Senators' votes are needed for the bill to move forward. � While this vote has been touted by pro-abortion lawmakers as merely 'procedural” in nature, according to the Congressional Research Service, over 97% of bills that receive a cloture vote to begin debate ultimately pass the Senate. � That means a vote for

*U.S. Senate's Confirmation of Judge Hamilton to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Promotes an Avowed Judicial Activist - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 19, 2009, 3:35 pm

Washington, DC ' Today, in a vote of 59-39, the U.S. Senate confirmed pro-abortion federal judge David Hamilton as an appellate court judge. Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest said, 'Americans United for Life believes that judges should uphold Constitutional restrictions on abortion. As a District Court judge, Hamilton promoted his radical pro-abortion agenda. His promotion to the Seventh Circuit will give him jurisdiction over court cases addressing life issues f

*Senate set to vote on activist judge David Hamilton today - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 19, 2009, 10:59 am

The confirmation of Judge David Hamilton to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals would be another step away from common ground by the President and the Democratic Senate. We at Americans United for Life, like most Americans, believe that a nominee's judicial philosophy goes to the heart of his or her qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court judge. During his Judiciary Committee hearing, Judge Hamilton failed to distance himself from a clearly activist philosophy. As a District Court Judge, Ham

*The Purpose of the Stupak Amendment is to Maintain Existing Law - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 18, 2009, 3:14 pm

There have been many recent questions in the press and on Capitol Hill about the scope of the Stupak Amendment added to the House health care reform bill, H.R. 3962, and how it will impact private insurance plans. � The Stupak Amendment applies the same abortion funding restrictions to programs created by and funded through H.R. 3962 that the Hyde Amendment applies to programs funded through the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill (like Medicaid). � Because the government is exp

*Reid Releases Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 19, 2009, 8:11 am

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid last night unveiled a health care bill which provides for an unprecedented expansion of federally-funded abortion. � The bill includes pro-abortion language and mirrors the false compromise Capps Amendment from the House debate — it allows the public option to include abortion coverage and provides federal subsidies for private plans which cover abortion. � � � The principle behind both the Hyde Amendment and the Stupak-Pitts Amendment is that taxpayer dol

*China's Dehumanizing Abortion Policies - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 18, 2009, 6:42 pm

As President Obama made his first official visit to China, new information on China's 'one-child policy” surfaced in the media. In an article published last week, The Washington Post revealed that 'monetary incentives and penalties are attached to population targets,” creating what amounts to 'bounties on the unborn,” according to a 2009 State Department report. Technically, it is illegal in China to kill a baby, but family- planning imperatives sometimes prevail. Unfortunately, according

*City of Baltimore Enacts Ordinance Targeting Pregnancy Care Centers - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 18, 2009, 3:17 pm

On Monday night, the Baltimore City Council, by a vote of 12 to 3, approved an ordinance requiring pregnancy care centers (PCCs) to posts signs indicating that they do not do abortions or provide contraception. � Failure to comply with the ordinance will incur a $150 per day fine. � A proposed amendment to require abortion clinics to post relevant disclaimers was defeated. In recent years, Maryland has become “ground zero” for attempts by NARAL and other abortion advocates to lodge f

*MSNBC Debate with Dr. Yoest and NARAL's Nancy Keenan on Dr. Nancy Show - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 12, 2009, 5:40 pm

s_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aul.org%2F2009%2F11%2F12%2Fmsnbc-debate-with-dr-yoest-and-narals-nancy-keenan-on-dr-nancy-show%2F'; addthis_title = 'MSNBC+Debate+with+Dr.+Yoest+and+NARAL%26%238217%3Bs+Nancy+Keenan+on+Dr.+Nancy+Show'; addthis_pub = 'MatthewEpp';

*Preferral of Charges Against Hasan Need Not and Should Not Preclude Charge for Killing Baby Velez - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 12, 2009, 4:31 pm

Earlier today, the U.S. Army preferred 13 charges and specifications of premeditated murder against Major Nidal Hassan. � This preliminary step does not and should not preclude the preferral of additional charges including a charge and specification for the killing of the unborn child of one of the victims of the Fort Hood massacre, � Private Francheska Velez of Chicago, Illinois. As a former military judge advocate (for 14 years) who specialized in military justice, I understand the confusion t

CBS Evening News Interview with Dr. Yoest on the Stupak Amendment - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 12, 2009, 3:57 pm

>Watch CBS News Videos Online addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aul.org%2F2009%2F11%2F12%2Fcbs-evening-news-interview-with-dr-yoest-on-the-stupak-amendment%2F'; addthis_title = 'CBS+Evening+News+Interview+with+Dr.+Yoest+on+the+Stupak+Amendment'; addthis_pub = 'MatthewEpp';

*CNN's Dana Bash Interviews Dr. Charmaine Yoest about Abortion in Health Care - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 12, 2009, 2:16 pm

s_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aul.org%2F2009%2F11%2F12%2Fcnns-dana-bash-interviews-dr-charmaine-yoest-about-abortion-in-health-care%2F'; addthis_title = 'CNN%26%238217%3Bs+Dana+Bash+Interviews+Dr.+Charmaine+Yoest+about+Abortion+in+Health+Care'; addthis_pub = 'MatthewEpp';

*Fox News's Special Report Inteview with Dr. Charmaine Yoest about Abortion in Health Care - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 12, 2009, 3:06 pm

s_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aul.org%2F2009%2F11%2F12%2Ffox-newss-special-report-inteview-with-dr-charmaine-yoest-about-abortion-in-health-care%2F'; addthis_title = 'Fox+News%26%238217%3Bs+Special+Report+Inteview+with+Dr.+Charmaine+Yoest+about+Abortion+in+Health+Care'; addthis_pub = 'MatthewEpp';

*MA Attorney General Reveals Willingness to Protect Abortion At Any Price - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 12, 2009, 1:12 pm

Massachusetts Attorney General (AG) Martha Coakley— a current Democrat candidate for the late Ted Kennedy's U.S. Senate seat—strongly criticized the House health care bill for prohibiting federal funding of abortions. � The Boston Globe reported her saying that 'fighting for a women's access to abortion was more important than passing the overall bill, despite its [other] aims.” � � Apparently, AG Coakley is willing to compromise all for a women's access to abortion—despite its inherent

*Seeking Justice for the 14th Victim at Fort Hood - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 12, 2009, 1:23 pm

There are, of course, many unnamed victims of the attack at Fort Hood. � Spouses, parents, children, siblings, friends. � Each left to suffer and question why, on American soil, their loved one's life was violently ended. But there was another victim that has been frequently overlooked: the unborn child of soldier Francheska Velez. � When Hasan took Velez's life, he took the life of her unborn baby as well. As the country looks for justice to be served in this horrendous tragedy, we cannot forge

*The Stupak Amendment to H.R.3962 — Maintaining Existing Law - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 11, 2009, 4:23 pm

Introduction While pro-abortion groups claim that the Stupak Amendment, added to H.R. 3962 by a vote of 240-194, with 64 Democrats voting in favor of the amendment, is broader than existing federal law, they are incorrect. � In reality, the Stupak Amendment, which �ensures that funds authorized and appropriated through the bill will not pay for abortions or subsidize insurance plans that cover abortions, mirrors the 'principle that has been in place for a very long time,”[1]the Hyde Amendment,

*H.R. 3962, the Health Care Reform Bill, Passes the House - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 7, 2009, 11:14 pm

On Nov. 7, 2009, the House passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act by a vote of 220-215. � One Republican, Joseph Cao (R-LA), voted in favor of the bill. � The bill will incorporate the Stupak-Pitts amendment, which bans use of federal funding for abortion and prohibits the public option from covering abortion services. addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aul.org%2F2009%2F11%2F07%2Fh-r-3962-the-health-care-reform-bill-passes-the-house%2F'; addthis_title = 'H.R.+3962%2C

*Stupak-Pitts Amendment Vote - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 7, 2009, 10:23 pm

On Nov. 7, 2009, the House passed the Stupak-Pitts amendment by a vote of 240-194. 64 Democrats voted in favor of the amendment, and one Republican, Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ), voted present. List of Dems voting Yes include: Altmire, Baca, Barrow, Berry, Bishop (GA), Boccieri, Boren, Bright, Cardoza, Carney, Chandler, Childers, Cooper, Costa, Costello, Cuellar, Dahlkemper, Davis (AL), Davis (TN), Donnelly (IN), Doyle, Driehaus, Ellsworth, Etheridge, Gordon (TN), Griffith, Hill, Holden, Kanjorski,

*Republican substitute bill fails - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 7, 2009, 10:31 pm

On Nov. 7, 2009, the House defeated the Republican health care reform substitute bill by a vote of 176 to 258. addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aul.org%2F2009%2F11%2F07%2Frepublican-substitute-bill-fails%2F'; addthis_title = 'Republican+substitute+bill+fails'; addthis_pub = 'MatthewEpp';

*Quick Summary of Stupak-Pitts Amendment Debate on the House Floor - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 7, 2009, 9:37 pm

Statements are paraphrased. Stupak: Capps Amendment is the most direct assualt on Hyde since 1997. DeGette: Capps Amendment is a compromise that does not spend $1 federal dollar on abortion. Requirement for supplemental insurance is offensive to women Pitts: The public does not support federal funding of abortion. Current law prevents fed. dollars from paying for abortion and subsidizing abortion providing plans. A majority opposes funding of abortion on demand. DeLauro: Stupak Amdt. undermines

*Anti-Life Concerns in H.R. 3962 - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 7, 2009, 7:16 pm

The bill being debated right now in the House, H.R. 3962, contains several problematic anti-life provisions. � Below is AUL's legal analysis of the abortion provisions in the bill, as well as an analysis of the conscience protection, Comparative Effectiveness Research, and End-of-life provisions in the bill. I. Abortion The House health care bill, H.R. 3962 includes the same problematic provisions found in the Capps Amendment added to H.R. 3200 (the former House health care reform bill). �The b

Boehner states that three Chairmen will not support Stupak-Pitts amendment, if passed, in conference agreement - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 7, 2009, 7:33 pm

Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) stated on the House floor that all three Chairmen of the Committees of jurisdiction, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Henry Waxman (D-CA), Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee George Miller (D-CA), and Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee Charlie Rangel (D-NY) refused to offer assurances that they would support the House passed language that includes the Stupak-Pitts amendment during the House and Senate conference. � Boehner urged M

*House Votes to Approve the Rule - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 7, 2009, 1:48 pm

At 1:43 pm on Nov. 7, 2009, the House of Representatives voted to approve H.Res. 903, the Rule under which Democratic leadership will bring H.R. 3962, the Affordable Healthcare for America bill, to the House floor. (Roll Call vote No. 882) � The voted was approved by a vote of 242-192. The House will now begin debating H.R. 3962, the health care reform bill, including the Republican substitute bill offered by Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) and the Stupak-Pitts abortion funding amendment. addthis_ur

*Fact Check: Washington Post Gets Their Facts Wrong on Abortion in Health Care - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 7, 2009, 11:39 am

An editorial in the Washington Post today asserted, “The controversy over abortion funding is similarly phony. Federal law prohibits the use of federal money for abortions except in cases of rape, incest or where the life of the mother is endangered. The House bill would leave that restriction in place. It would exclude abortion from the list of benefits that plans participating in the insurance exchange would be required to offer. Instead, the exchanges would have to include one plan that

*Endorsement of Pro-Life Amendment and New Score Letter - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 7, 2009, 10:22 am

Americans United for Life’s legislative arm Americans United for Life Action endorses a key vote today on the House floor of the Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment, an Amendment that blocks any federal money from going to abortion in health care reform Americans United for Life Action's President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest said, 'Americans United for Life Action strongly supports the Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment to prohib

*Once Again, Minors Are Left Unprotected in Illinois - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 6, 2009, 10:58 am

On Tuesday we reported that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) would be considering whether to once again delay implementation of the Illinois parental notification law. � For a short while on Wednesday, pro-lifers felt victorious: rather than further delay enforcement, as we expected, the IDFPR allowed the law to go into effect. Unfortunately, the ACLU was able to convince a state court later Wednesday afternoon that the parental notification law is unconst

*What's Wrong with the Ellsworth Amendment ' Summary and Analysis - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 5, 2009, 8:46 pm

On Friday the House Rules Committee is expected to report out a rule governing debate on H.R. 3962, the House health care reform bill. � It is likely that this rule will include language called the 'Ellsworth Amendment,” after Congressman Brad Ellsworth of Indiana. � This language is being touted as a pro-life amendment. � In reality, the Ellsworth Amendment does little more than tweak the pro-abortion provisions in the House bill. � Below is a list of the items in the Ellsworth Amendment, as

*Popping the 'Bubble Zone” Jurisprudence Before It Floats Away - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 5, 2009, 11:11 am

Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit found a Pittsburg ordinance restricting access to public areas around abortion clinics unconstitutional. � More specifically, the court held the ordinance to be 'insufficiently tailored” because it 'burdens substantially more speech than necessary” to achieve the City's stated interest—to prevent 'harassment and obstruction of entrances” to hospitals and medical clinics. � The Pittsburg ordinance combined a 'bubble zone” and a

*Rep. Ellsworth's Proposal Does Not Prevent Abortion Funding in Health Care Reform - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 5, 2009, 9:29 am

Yesterday, the House Rules Committee announced that the 'rule” for considering the sweeping health care legislation will encompass the language put forward by Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Ind. that the House leadership is falsely describing as pro-life. By allowing the Ellsworth language, House Democratic leaders hope to address the reluctance of pro-life Democrats to vote for the health bill. � Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life said, 'The Ellsworth Amendment will

*AUL Fact Check on 'Abortion Under Fire” by Dana Goldstein (The Daily Beast, 11.1.09) - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 4, 2009, 2:52 pm

In her blog entry on The Daily Beast, Dana Goldstein records pro-abortion leader Judy Waxman's incredible statement that the new House health care bill, H.R. 3962, 'leans toward the pro-life position.” � To support this conclusion Goldstein's entry relies on statements from several abortion rights advocates. � However, the current version of the House bill is neither 'pro-life,” nor 'abortion neutral.” � H.R. 3962 attempts to mainstream abortion as health care and have the federal governme

*Local Planned Parenthood Director Quits After Watching Ultrasound - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 3, 2009, 10:45 pm

A woman is far more likely to choose life if she sees an ultrasound of her unborn child, which is why AUL has long promoted laws requiring abortion clinics to give clients the opportunity to view their ultrasound. Now, it appears that an ultrasound can change the heart of an abortion-clinic director as well. Last week, Abby Johnson, the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Bryan, Texas–which was the first clinic protested by the pro-life group 40 Days for Life–quit her job afte

*Critical House Vote: Current House Health Care Bill Would Create the Largest Expansion of Taxpayer-Funded Abortion in over 30 years - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 3, 2009, 12:30 pm

The U.S. House health care overhaul bill H.R. 3962 could receive a vote as early as Thursday. � H.R. 3962 would create a new stream of federal funding not covered by the restrictions of the Hyde Amendment prohibiting federal funding of abortion. Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest said, 'If this week's House health care bill passes without an amendment to explicitly exclude abortion coverage and funding, the American taxpayer will be funding abortion on demand. � The

*Illinois Politics and the ACLU: An Alliance Detrimental to Adolescent Health and Parental Rights - Americans United for Life Blog Nov 3, 2009, 10:51 am

Minors in Illinois have been unprotected from the harms of abortion for decades. � The legislature passed a parental notice law in 1995—a law substantially similar to the 36 other state laws requiring either parental notice or consent. � But of course, the ACLU had to step in and challenge the law. � And until the Seventh Circuit (finally) lifted an injunction against the law this summer, the law had been unenforceable. You would think that would be the end of it. But instead, the ACLU filed a

*Analysis of Life Provisions in H.R. 3962 - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 30, 2009, 12:34 pm

� � � � � � � � �The new version of health care reform unveiled by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi fails to exclude abortion funding and coverage ' in fact, it explicitly includes it. � Below is AUL's legal analysis of the abortion provisions in the bill, as well as an analysis of the conscience protection, Comparative Effectiveness Research, and End-of-life provisions in the bill. � � � � � � � � � � � I. � � � � � Abortion � � � � � � � � � The new House health care bill, H.R. 3962 inclu

*AUL's Statement on New House Health Care Bill - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 29, 2009, 4:39 pm

Statement by Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest: “Just as Americans United for Life had expected, the new House health care bill unveiled this morning includes the Capps Amendment language added during the Energy and Commerce Committee mark-up. � This bill will explicitly allow federal funding of abortion through the public option and permits federal subsidies to go to private insurance plans that cover abortion. � The bill also ensures that at least one health

*Scoring Health Care Letter Goes to House Members - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 29, 2009, 3:52 pm

Today, at the same time that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was unveiling the new House health care reform bill, Americans United for Life’s legislative arm AUL Action �sent a letter to members of the House of Representatives to express our deep concern over the life-related provisions in the bill. � Just as we expected, the 'new” bill does not make the changes necessary to ensure that abortion coverage and funding is excluded from health care reform. In our letter, we told Members of the Ho

*House Democrats Expected to Unveil Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 29, 2009, 9:47 am

Today, House Democrats are expected to unveil a health care overhaul bill that will likely include new federal funding for abortions not covered by the Hyde Amendment, a funding restriction on abortion limited to programs funded through the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill. Leading pro-life Democrat Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) indicated this week that he and 40 like-minded, pro-life Democrats will work with Republicans to 'torpedo healthcare reform” unless he gets a vote on

*Our plan” or 'my plan” ' federal dollars will be spent on abortion - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 28, 2009, 7:48 pm

In September, President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress and said 'under our plan no federal dollars will be used to fund abortion.” Currently, however, all three health care reform proposals in Congress mandate abortion funding to varying degrees. � Recognizing this, President Obama now seeks to clarify that by 'our plan” he did not mean the actual proposals in Congress, but his 'own” plan. But the context of President Obama's statement does not support that understanding. � I

*Center for Reproductive Rights against Common Ground - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 28, 2009, 6:53 pm

In August, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton highlighted sex-selection abortions as an abuse against women in India and China saying, 'unfortunately with technology, parents are able to use sonograms to determine the sex of a baby, and to abort girl children simply because they'd rather have a boy.” But sex-selection abortions are not a phenomenon foreign to the United States. Oklahoma has taken an important step towards ending this abuse against women. � With overwhelming bipartisan support

*How The Public Option Will Allow Abortion in Health Care - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 28, 2009, 10:47 am

Senate Majority Leader Reid announced that he will include a 'public option” (government-run insurance plan) in the final Senate health care reform bill. � While the language of the final Senate bill, like the final House bill, is not available for public consumption, it is not hard to predict what the inclusion of a 'public option” means for abortion funding and coverage. Reid's bill is a conglomeration of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Bill, the Senate F

*New Murder Case Brings California's Fetal-Homicide Ban into Public Eye - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 27, 2009, 11:02 pm

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday that a Los Angeles man, Joshua Woodward, has been arrested for the intentional homicide of his unborn child. As public comments on the case posted to the online Chronicle story show, this kind of prosecution provokes public confusion and questioning. Is this a new phenomenon? No. Fetal homicide or “unborn victims of violence” laws have been enacted in 37 states. And prosecutors actively enforce and use them. How long has California̵

*Associated Press Admits Hyde Amendment Won't Prevent ObamaCare from Funding Abortions - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 25, 2009, 1:23 am

Buried in an Associated Press story last week on President Obama’s health care reform agenda was a fact that counters misleading statements from the White House: The Hyde Amendment does not protect American taxpayers from funding abortions through ObamaCare. The AP reports: The main point of contention is the proposed new federal subsidies that would help lower-income people purchase health care coverage from private plans — and potentially from a new government-sponsored plan — within

*Congress Divided Over Abortion in Health Care: Blocks on Procedural Votes Needed - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 23, 2009, 5:43 pm

Today, an Associated Press article highlighted the division among Democrats in the House of Representatives over abortion in health care reform. � The article accurately describes several of the reasons why pro-life members of Congress are not satisfied with the 'Capps Amendment” (language added to the House bill during the Energy and Commerce Committee mark-up): � 1) The amendment allows government subsidies to go to health insurance plans that cover abortion. � 2) Current federal laws that p

*Prez Nominates Pro-Abort ACLU Lawyer to EEOC - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 23, 2009, 2:51 pm

When President Obama was on the campaign trail, he promised Planned Parenthood that the “first thing” he would do as President would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA)–a bill that would strike down all regulations on abortion, denying Americans their rights of conscience, and forcing taxpayers to fund the destruction of unborn life. But word got out, and the outcry from pro-life Americans–including the hundreds of thousands who joined AUL Action’s Fight FOC

*Conscience Protection and the Health Care Reform Bills - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 22, 2009, 1:27 pm

� Introduction � Soon after taking office, President Obama made it a top priority to reverse a regulation that allows health care providers the right to refuse to perform services to which they object. The regulation, issued by executive order by the Bush Administration and finalized on December 19, 2008,[1] broadens the application of �conscience protections initially offered under the Church Amendment, a 30-year-old law establishing protections for health care providers who object to provid

*Obama Administration Web Site Seeks to Recruit Volunteers for Planned Parenthood - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 21, 2009, 11:29 pm

LifeNews reports that the Obama administration’s official volunteerism Web site, Serve.gov, encourages visitors to put in hours at Planned Parenthood. Journalist Lisa Staub discovered the government site’s promotion of the abortion giant when she typed the keyword “health” and the city “Houston” into its search engine, which is intended to connect prospective volunteers with service organizations in their communities. Doing so “brought up Planned Parenth

*Help Us Stop Your Tax Dollars From Going to Abortion - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 21, 2009, 3:30 pm

If Congressional leaders have their way, sweeping health care reform legislation will force American taxpayers to fund abortion-on-demand. A few days ago I had a chance to explain this to the country in an article in The Wall Street Journal entitled: 'Tax Dollars Shouldn't Fund Abortion”: Democratic leaders claim that all they want is to maintain the “status quo” on abortion. In reality, maintaining what we have now isn’t even on the table. To d

*Next Steps to Fighting Abortion in Health Care Reform - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 10, 2009, 2:48 pm

With all the twists and turns in the health care debate, we keep hearing the question: what's next? So I wanted to take a minute and sketch out for you what we know from our meetings here in the Nation's Capital and on the Hill. Next week, the Senate Finance Committee is poised to vote out its health care reform bill. After that, Majority Leader Harry Reid and his allies will determine the content of the final Senate bill–and Americans want to know what's in it. The New York Times reports

*AULA's Response to Media Matters' Faulty 'Fact Check” - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 19, 2009, 12:48 pm

AULA' Response to: Media Matters' 'Fact Check” � HERE are the Facts Media Matters stated: � 'In a new anti-choice ad, the conservative Americans United for Life presents several nuggets of misinformation regarding how abortion is being treated in Democratic proposals for health care reform. � Because they lack any factual grounds for their argument, the group resorts to ominous music, sarcasm, and misdirection.” AULA's Response: � All of the statements in AULA's advertisement are facts. � I

*AUL Prez Writes in Wall Street Journal: ‘Tax Dollars Shouldn't Fund Abortion' - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 16, 2009, 12:16 pm

There have been many promises made during the health care debate in Congress, from President Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and many others that no federal funding will go to abortion in health care reform. They claim they are merely maintaining the “status quo.” Yesterday, in The Wall Street Journal, AUL President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest argues in her op-ed 'Tax Dollars Shouldn't Fund Abortion” that the current proposals aren't the status quo and in fact, they would

*The Guttmacher Institute vs. the Facts - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 15, 2009, 12:13 pm

In today’s edition of Church Report, AUL Staff Counsel Anna Franzonello responds to a report by the pro-abortion Alan Guttmacher Institute that blames certain countries’ restrictive abortion laws for a high rate of deaths and complications from clandestine abortion in those countries. The report’s conclusions are “ideologically driven by the Guttmacher Institute's abortion-promoting agenda,” Franzonello writes. “Their own research contradicts the conclusion.&#

*New Online Ad About Abortion in Health Care - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 14, 2009, 10:13 am

legislative action arm, AUL Action is giving America a much-needed reality check with a new online ad that dispels the deceptive rhetoric in Washington and gives clear evidence how taxpayer dollars will go to funding abortions in health care reform. Our new online video ad, 'Don't Be Fooled: Abortion is in Health Care Reform,” is a part of “Real Health Care Respects Life,” our initiative to mobilize pro-life opposition nationwide to abortion in health care reform. The new ad 'Don't

*Regretting Her Abortion, Author Helps Ill Pregnant Women Find Hope and Healing - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 13, 2009, 9:41 pm

My first column for the Knights of Columbus Web site HeadlineBistro.com, published today, tells the story of Ashli Foshee McCall, who emerged from personal tragedy to help others avoid making the mistake she made. In 1996, Ashli Foshee McCall, 25 years old, married and pregnant with her first child, was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), an extreme form of morning sickness. According to the �Hyperemesis Education & Research Foundation, an estimated 39,000 HG sufferers are hospitalized e

*Americans United for Life's Statement on Finance Committee Vote - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 13, 2009, 5:15 pm

Washington D.C. — Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life, made the following statement Tuesday regarding the Finance Committee vote on health care reform: “The Senate Finance Committee has joined the four other committees with jurisdiction over health care reform in reporting out a bill that does not include explicit language excluding abortion funding and coverage. In fact, the Baucus bill explicitly includes abortion funding and coverage.” Dr. Yoe

*A Pro-Life Look at the Health Care Reform Bills Currently in Congress - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 10, 2009, 4:38 pm

Revised October 12, 2009 Introduction In this Memorandum, we review provisions of the health care reform bills before Congress that implicate four areas: � (I) abortion funding and coverage, (II) freedom of conscience, (III) the curtailment, withdrawal, or denial of effective life-sustaining treatment, and (IV) end of life issues. � Our examination includes an analysis of such provisions in H.R. 3200, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) bill, and the Senate Finance bill, the

*New Hard-Hitting Online Health Care Ad 'Don't Be Fooled” To Be Launched on Wednesday. - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 13, 2009, 2:58 pm

On Wednesday, October 14, AUL Action, the legislative action arm of Americans United for Life, will be releasing an online ad, 'Don't Be Fooled: Abortion is in Health Care Reform,” to raise awareness among the pro-life grassroots about taxpayer-funded abortion in the current health care reform proposals. The ad is a part of Americans United for Life Action's Real Health Care Respects Life campaign, a project to educate citizens about the proposals in health care reform that are a threat to the

*Back to the Hill Guide: What to Expect Next - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 12, 2009, 4:35 pm

Updated October 12, 2009 The U.S. House of Representatives The three committees of jurisdiction marked up and reported out versions of the House health care reform bill, H.R. 3200. � The House Democratic leadership is currently reconciling the different versions of the bill behind closed doors. In some cases, they will also need to reconcile different versions of amendments from the same committee. � � For instance, the Energy and Commerce Committee adopted two different conscience clause amendm

*U.S. Supreme Court Allows Pro-Life Citizens in Illinois to be Muzzled - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 5, 2009, 10:02 am

On the heels of recent surveys demonstrating that a majority of Americans are increasingly identifying themselves as pro-life, the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed a lower court's decision muzzling the free speech rights of pro-life citizens in Illinois to stand. The State of Illinois has done nothing less than censor its pro-life citizens. � Despite the fact that almost half of the states in the nation offer 'Choose Life” license plates—with another 14 states working on them—the people of I

*The Capps Amendment is No Compromise - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 6, 2009, 1:29 pm

This morning, the Senate Finance Committee is expected to report (vote) out of Committee Chairman Baucus' version of health care reform. � Like the other four Committees (three in the House and one in the Senate) that have reported out health care reform bills, the Senate Finance Committee failed to include in the legislation language that would adequately prevent federal funding and coverage of abortion. Recent intelligence from the Hill indicates that a purported 'compromise” on abortion fun

*U.S. Supreme Court Denies Freedom of Speech by Refusing to Hear 'Choose Life Illinois” Appeal - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 5, 2009, 12:56 pm

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal in Choose Life Illinois v. White, upholding a Seventh Circuit ruling that the Illinois system for approving specialty plates was not discriminatory. � The case was filed in 2004 after citizens had collected more than the requisite number of signatures, but were denied a 'Choose Life” license plate. Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life, observed, 'Ever-increasing numbers of pro-life Americans want to proudly dis

*Americans United for Life Responds to New Pew Poll Results Showing Dramatic Drop in Support for Abortion - Americans United for Life Blog Oct 5, 2009, 11:32 am

A new poll from the Pew Research Center shows that support for legalized abortion has dropped to its lowest level in years. In the past year, the number of Americans who said abortion should be legal in most or all cases dropped from 54 percent to 47 percent ' and pollsters note the shift 'could be connected to Obama's election.” Dr. Charmaine Yoest, president and CEO of Americans United for Life, who met with the White House last month on the issue of abortion in health care, said of the dram

*Agenda-Motivated Claims that RU-486 is 'Safe” and 'Easy” Are Dead Wrong - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 24, 2009, 8:27 am

This article was published with permission from Culture of Life Foundation. To view the original publication, see their website. By Jessica Sage AUL Staff Counsel Brenda Vise, a 38-year old pharmaceutical representative, died on September 12, 2001. � Holly Patterson, an 18-year old student, died on September 17, 2003. � Chanelle Bryant, 22-years old, died on January 14, 2004. � Vivian Tran, also 22 years old, died on December 29, 2003. � Orianne Shevin, a 34-year old attorney and mother of two,

*Real Health Care Protects Women - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 30, 2009, 3:09 pm

Today Family Research Council released its report, A Passion to Serve, A Vision for Life, highlighting the contributions of pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) over the last 40 years. � The release comes at an interesting time—the President is attempting to make abortion a recognized form of 'health care,” and we are seeing increasing attacks on PRCs each legislative session in the form of draconian legislation regulating the activities of PRCs and sometimes even attempting to force them to pr

*Leading Pro-Life Group Outraged by the Defeat of Key Pro-life Amendments in Senate Finance Committee - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 30, 2009, 1:35 pm

WASHINGTON — Today, in a vote of 10-13 in the Senate Finance Committee, the Hatch Amendment #C14 was defeated. � The amendment would have explicitly prohibited federal funding and coverage of abortions. � The Committee also voted down an amendment by Senator Hatch that would have prevented discrimination against any individual or entity who refused to provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions. � � Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President of Americans United for Life recently met

*Update: Amendments in Senate Finance Committee 'Mark-Up” - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 30, 2009, 10:00 am

REVISED: � 09.30.09 No amendments directly pertaining to abortion received a vote on Tuesday. � A vote on abortion-related amendments is expected TODAY. Three amendments relating to Comparative Effectiveness Research (”CER”) were defeated. � These amendments would have addressed concerns that CER could be used to mandate or encourage the withdrawal or curtailment of effective life-sustaining treatment to the elderly, terminally ill, chronically ill, or permanently disabled. Roberts D

*Update: Amendments in Senate Finance Committee 'Mark-Up” - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 28, 2009, 11:30 am

REVISED: � 09.28.09 No amendments pertaining to life issues received a vote on Friday. � The Senate is not in Session today. On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee will likely consider three pro-life amendments filed by Senator Orrin Hatch (UT). � While the Committee accepted one pro-life modification to the bill last week as part of a package of amendments ' the federal government cannot mandate abortion in the 'essential benefits package” that private insurers must provide to participate i

*Does the Latest Stem Cell Success Foreshadow Future Funding Failures in U.S.? - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 28, 2009, 11:19 am

It was reported last week that, for the first time, surgeons in the U.K. have successfully treated an extremely ill heart patient with a combination of an artificial heart and his own stem cells. � The patient was fitted with a mechanical pump and then injected with 6 million of his own stem cells, in hope that those cells would repair damage in the patient's heart. This success raises questions for us in the United States. � First, why are embryonic stem cell advocates—and the President and h

*The Capps Amendment: A Pro-Life Analysis - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 22, 2009, 2:58 am

Summary During the July 30th House Energy and Commerce Committee mark-up, Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA.) and Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) offered amendments to H.R. 3200 that would have prohibited abortion funding and coverage in the House health care reform bill. � These amendments were defeated. Instead, the Committee approved an amendment offered by Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) by a vote of 30-28. Supporters of the Capps amendment claim that it is a 'compromise” amendment on abortion. � Instead, it creates an

*Update: Amendments in Senate Finance Committee 'Mark-Up” - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 23, 2009, 6:18 pm

REVISED: � 09.24.09 No amendments pertaining to life issues received a vote on Thursday. REVISED: 09.23.09 No amendments pertaining to life issues received a vote on Wednesday. Pro-Life Amendments Filed in the Senate Finance Committee Abortion Mandate Hatch Amdt. #C14 (355) Prohibits authorized or appropriated federal funds under this Mark from being used for elective abortions and plans that cover such abortions. � Enzi Amdt. #12 (426) To ensure that mandates on abortions are prohibited. � En

*Video: Fox News Interview with Shannon Bream and AUL about White House Meeting on Abortion - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 24, 2009, 1:47 pm

AUL President Charmaine Yoest speaks on Fox News with Shannon Bream about the recent meeting at the White House, with President Obama’s key policy staffers. addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aul.org%2F2009%2F09%2F24%2Fvideo-fox-news-interview-with-shannon-bream-and-aul-about-white-house-meeting-on-abortion%2F'; addthis_title = 'Video%3A+Fox+News+Interview+with+Shannon+Bream+and+AUL+about+White+House+Meeting+on+Abortion'; addthis_pub = 'MatthewEpp';

*Update: Amendments in Senate Finance Committee 'Mark-Up” - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 23, 2009, 6:18 pm

The Senate Finance Committee incorporated a modification that includes numerous amendments. � Consideration of other individual amendments is expected to begin on Wednesday; however, no life-related amendments are expected to be considered on that day. � The modification to the original bill encompasses several life-related issues. � 1. Mandatory abortion coverage in 'Minimum Benefits package” removed. Background: � The Senate Finance Bill originally allowed the federal government to mandate a

*AUL's Analysis of Senator Baucus' Finance Bill - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 22, 2009, 2:57 pm

Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee (SFC), released his Committee’s health care reform bill on September 16, 2009. �The SFC bill, America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009, provides the spending cuts which will offset the costs of health care reform. �The SFC and the Senate HELP Committee share jurisdiction over health care reform in the Senate, but only the SFC can determine the funding offsets. The SFC is scheduled to mark up its bill this week. The SFC

*AUL Prez Writes in Washington Times: ‘Is Abortion Health Care, or Is It Not?' - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 21, 2009, 10:57 pm

In today’s Washington Times, three days after AUL’s meeting with White House officials failed to give adequate reassurances that abortion funding would not be in the health care bill, an op-ed by AUL President & CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest strikes to the core of the current debate: “Is Abortion Health Care, or Is it Not?” The truth is that the health care packages under consideration do include abortion funding. Without a specific statutory amendment that includes an explicit

*After White House Meeting, Leading Pro-Life Group Remains ‘Deeply Concerned' about Abortion in Health Care Reform - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 19, 2009, 10:48 am

This week, �Americans United for Life’s legislative arm AUL Action met with senior White House officials Melody Barnes, Tina Tchen and Joshua DuBois. � AUL Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest called on the White House to clarify President Obama’s recent statement of support for keeping abortion funding out of health care reform. � After the meeting, Dr. Yoest stated that the White House remained noncommittal on explicit language excluding abortion from the health care bill.

*Video: Fox News Interview with Megyn Kelly and AUL about White House Meeting on Abortion - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 18, 2009, 2:32 pm

Fblog.aul.org%2F2009%2F09%2F18%2Ffox-news-interview-with-megyn-kelly-and-aul-about-white-house-meeting-on-abortion%2F'; addthis_title = 'Video%3A+Fox+News+Interview+with+Megyn+Kelly+and+AUL+about+White+House+Meeting+on+Abortion'; addthis_pub = 'MatthewEpp';

*Statement on the Shooting of a Pro-Life Demonstrator - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 11, 2009, 1:17 pm

This morning, the fatal shooting of a pro-life demonstrator was reported in front of Owosso High School in Michigan. Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life, released this statement: “We are shocked by this morning’s tragic news that a pro-life demonstrator was gunned down in front of a Michigan high school. We call for a full investigation into the matter and expect that the person or persons who committed this terrible act will be prosecuted to the fulle

*AUL's Statement in Response to President Obama's Address - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 9, 2009, 9:46 pm

In his address to a Joint Session of Congress this evening, President Obama repeated his claim that 'no federal dollars will be used to fund abortion.” � However, he failed to commit to supporting language that explicitly prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars for abortion. AUL's President and CEO, Dr. Charmaine Yoest, expressed disappointment in the President's address, stating, 'President Obama has previously articulated a desire to see a decrease in the number of abortions performed in the U

*Talking Points on Health Care Reform - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 8, 2009, 4:32 pm

For detailed background on these points, including sources, see AUL Action's Background Memo on Health Care Reform. H.R. 3200 and the Senate HELP Bill would guarantee health coverage for abortion on demand and obligate American taxpayers to foot the bill. Numerous courts have interpreted the same language used in the current health care reform bills as requiring Medicaid to cover abortion. With court precedent already set, abortion advocates in Congress and the Administration know that even wit

*A Pro-Life Look at the Health Care Reform Bills Currently in Congress - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 8, 2009, 4:38 pm

Revised August 27, 2009 Congress is currently considering three different health care reform bills: House Bill H.R. 3200, the American Affordable Health Choices Act, referred to as the House 'Tri Committee bill” (House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor). The Ways and Means Committee reported out the bill on July 17, and similarly on July 17, the House Education and Labor Committee voted out the bill by a vote of 26-22. Lastly, the Energy and Commerce Committee report

*Like Surgical Abortion, RU-486 has Racist Roots - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 8, 2009, 10:21 am

It's no secret that birth control and abortion have racist roots. � Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, pushed vehemently for the use of birth control and abortion to eliminate populations of people she deemed unfit and detrimental to America. In her writings and interviews (including video-taped interviews), she did not even attempt to hide her racist motivations. � Her articles included titles such as 'Birth Control: The True Eugenics.” Sanger believed that sterilizing the 'u

*Bryan Slater Joins AUL as VP of Operations - Americans United for Life Blog Sep 4, 2009, 10:04 am

WASHINGTON, DC ' Bryan Slater has joined Americans United for Life as Vice President of Operations. � Mr. Slater will be overseeing all administrative, operational and financial functions which includes personnel and development. Dr. Charmaine Yoest, AUL President & CEO said: 'I am very pleased Bryan has joined our team. � He brings a background of extensive administrative experience and additional political background that will be a tremendous asset to AUL in this period of expansion.” Mr. Sl

*Myths about Abortion in Health Care Reform - Americans United for Life Blog Aug 13, 2009, 9:53 pm

We've got inside information: Yesterday a media-relations executive from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, giving a talk here in Washington on Planned Parenthood's health care reform strategy, made a comment that revealed the impact we've been making in thwarting the abortion industry's agenda. She lamented that because the 'anti-choice” movement — meaning pro-lifers like you and me — had attracted so much attention to her organization's efforts to mandate abortion fund

*What's Missing from the White House's ‘Reality Check' - Americans United for Life Blog Aug 13, 2009, 1:10 pm

Jill Stanek observes in her World Net Daily column that something is missing from the “Reality Check” Web site that the White House set up to defend ObamaCare: “the A-word.” The White House is going to great lengths to refute accusations that its health care reform plan would promote euthanasia and rationing, but makes no attempt to counter claims that it would mandate government funding of abortion. There’s a reason for that. As Stanek notes, this July 2007 video o

*Statement on the Confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor - Americans United for Life Blog Aug 6, 2009, 4:47 pm

The U.S. Senate voted 68-31 to approve the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the lifetime appointment on the highest US court. Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of American United for Life issued this statement today in response to this confirmation: Americans United for Life applauds the 31 senators opposing Judge Sotomayor's confirmation. It's a stunning vote of 'no confidence” in a nominee whose background of abortion advocacy and record of judicial interventionism raise serious ques

*For Life — Sotomayor: The 'No's” Know - Americans United for Life Blog Aug 6, 2009, 1:02 pm

When the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court was announced, many political observers assumed the Senate would provide an overwhelming “yes” vote on the administration’s judicial nominee pick. Instead, thirty-one senators have announced they are opposing Judge Sotomayor’s confirmation. It’s a stunning vote of “no confidence” in a nominee whose background of abortion advocacy and record of judicial interventionism raise serio

*How to Inflame a Culture War - Americans United for Life Blog Aug 4, 2009, 7:42 pm

Americans United for Life board member Robert P. George, � professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University, writes in a Wall Street Journal op-ed on same-sex marriage that the best way to inflame a culture war is to try to solve it by juridical fiat. Exhibit A: Roe v. Wade, in which the Supreme Court justices “[tried] trying to remove a morally charged policy issue from the forums of democratic deliberation and resolve it according to their personal lights.” He continues: Even man

*Rep. King: Current Health Care Reform Plan Would Fund Abortion - Americans United for Life Blog Aug 3, 2009, 11:54 am

In the wake of misleading news coverage from the Associated Press and others claiming an amendment passed Friday by a House committee will protect taxpayers from paying for abortion, Iowa Republican Congressman Steve King set the record straight in an online interview today. Asked by blogger John Hawkins if Americans’ tax dollars will fund abortion, he responds: The way it stands today, that answer is, “yes,” and the history of abortion funding from the federal government has b

*Health Care Reform: End-of-Life Issues - Americans United for Life Blog Jul 30, 2009, 8:14 pm

Health care reform must respect life, and not contain provisions that mandate or encourage the withdrawal or curtailment of effective life-sustaining treatment to the terminally ill, the chronically ill, or the permanently disabled. � Therefore, the provisions that address end-of-life issues must be amended to leave no room for an interpretation that would pressure healthcare providers to make decisions based on cost rather than best medical care. Section 1233 of the House bill includes vague, f

*Roe's Aftereffects: ‘Dear Abby' Readers Share Pain of Being ‘Unwanted' - Americans United for Life Blog Jul 30, 2009, 2:30 pm

One of the effects of Roe v. Wade that is rarely acknowledged in public conversation is the culture of “wantedness” versus “unwantedness.” Before abortion was legal, killing one’s unborn child could not be characterized as a legitimate “choice.” An insensitive parent might refer to a child as an “accident,” but no mother could say that, if she had her way, she would have legally had her baby destroyed before it could see the light of day. But

*AUL Prez on CNN: America Doesn't Want a ‘Creative' Supreme Court Judge - Americans United for Life Blog Jul 22, 2009, 10:49 am

In the wake of her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee [watch], Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest was invited onto CNN last Saturday to discuss Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor. She noted that many of the nominee’s statements are troubling, such as her enthusiasm for ideas that get her “creative juices” flowing. class="related_post"> Attempts to Remove Federal Funding of Planned Parenthood AUL Job Opening: Receptionist Intern

*Martin Luther King's Niece: ‘Racism and Abortion Are Twins' - Americans United for Life Blog Jul 21, 2009, 4:02 pm

Dr. Alveda King, niece of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. writes in a searing op-ed for the Washington Times that the pro-life movement represents the civil rights movement of our century — promoting “the right of every one of every race to live.” When she had two of her own children aborted during the years following Roe v. Wade, King believed the doctor who told her that her babies were no more than “a blob of tissue.” But, as she writes, she repented and came

*Liveblogging the Sotomayor Hearings — Day 2 (Part 4) - Americans United for Life Blog Jul 14, 2009, 4:08 pm

4:05 p.m. -Schumer cites various cases where Sotomayor ruled against plaintiffs for whom she might have had “sympathy.” His line of questioning is designed to show that, in her desire to uphold the law, she was not afraid to rule against plaintiffs who were hit hard by circumstances. It is a frontal attack against her opponents’ claims that she allows her personal feelings to enter into her verdicts. For an alternative view, see Stuart Taylor’s National Journal piece on t

*Abortion Funding in Health-Care Reform Is Being Fast-Tracked, McCain Warns AUL - Americans United for Life Blog Jul 13, 2009, 3:38 pm

We have spent the last few weeks leading up to this week’s hearing in meetings with senators on the Judiciary Committee and their staffers, on both sides of the aisle, presenting them with the research that the AUL legal team has done on Judge Sotomayor’s pro-abortion advocacy. � This morning, we had the opportunity to meet with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to take our concerns directly to him and ask him to use his leadership in the Republican ranks to draw attention to her extreme re

*Liveblogging Sotomayor Hearings - Day 1 - Americans United for Life Blog Jul 13, 2009, 10:31 am

11:08 a.m. - Sen. Kyl (R-Ariz.) begins his statement in direct contrast to Feingold, saying judges should be chosen on their merits, not on the basis of ethnicity. 11:06 a.m. - Feingold says Sotomayor is “living proof that this country is moving in the right direction” with regard to race. Her supporters make no secret that her race is �a factor. 11:04 a.m. - Feingold urges viewers to be wary of the term “judicial activism.” Says it is used to describe judges who make dec

*AUL Exclusive: Liveblogging the Sotomayor Hearings - Americans United for Life Blog Jul 12, 2009, 6:55 pm

Starting tomorrow morning — Monday, July 13, at 10 a.m. — the AUL Blog will feature live commentary on the Senate Judiciary Confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Judge Sotomayor. Bookmark this site to read the latest on the hearings from AUL staff, including President & CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest, and special guests. MORE: See our Top Ten suggested questions for Judge Sotomayor, and vote on the one you would most like to see senators pose to her, at AUL’s AskSotomayor.