House, Senate Consider Pro-Life Legislation

House, Senate Consider Pro-Life Legislation
 
Four U.S. representatives — including one Democrat — introduced legislation to reinstate the Mexico City Policy after President Barack Obama eliminated it Friday.

Reps. Chris Smith, R-N.J., Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., and Bart Stupak, D-Mich., are sponsors of H.R. 708.

Also, the U.S. Senate rejected a similar pro-life measure, which was offered by Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla. Among the 60 senators who voted "no" was Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who ran as a pro-life supporter in the 2006 campaign for his Senate seat. Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson, a Democrat, supported the amendment.

"The Mexico City Policy represents common ground," Smith said. "It has allowed the U.S. to substantially fund international family planning without padding the budgets of radical groups intent on spreading the scourge of abortion."

The Mexico City Policy, which prevents U.S. tax dollars from funding international groups that perform or promote abortions, was put in place by President Ronald Reagan, reversed by President Bill Clinton, reinstated by President George W. Bush and reversed by Obama.

Sensenbrenner said that with one stroke of his pen, "Our new president gave the green light for the execution of thousands of preborn children.

"I can think of no clearer signal to illustrate our changing times," he said. "We pro-lifers now face a huge challenge in our cause to protect the life of the innocent unborn children who have no voice but ours to speak out for their survival."

Contact: Jennifer Mesko
Source: CitizenLink
Source URL: http://www.citizenlink.org
Publish Date: January 28, 2009
Link to this article:
http://www.ifrl.org/ifrl/news/090129_1.htm