Planned Parenthood celebrates Victory! now that Rep. Bart Stupak has been purchased by Washington, because Obama's promise is that abortion will NOT be restricted.
For background, read Social Justice Catholic, Pro-life Dems Promise to Bar Abortions from ObamaCare
-- From "VICTORY! The House finally passed health care reform!" posted at Planned Parenthood: "Thanks to supporters like you, we were able to keep the Stupak abortion ban out of the final legislation and President Obama did not include the Stupak language in his Executive Order."
From "Abortion compromise doesn't satisfy critics" by Erica Werner, Associated Press 3/21/10
A last-minute compromise that swung a half-dozen anti-abortion Democrats behind President Barack Obama's health care bill — virtually ensuring its passage — failed to placate outside activists on either side of the issue, and drew derision from Republicans.
Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., leader of the anti-abortion bloc, said he was satisfied with an executive order issued by Obama affirming prohibitions in current law and in the health legislation against taxpayer money going to abortions.
The National Right to Life Committee quickly issued a scathing statement disputing Stupak's claim.
"The executive order promised by President Obama was issued for political effect. It changes nothing," the group said. "It does not correct any of the serious pro-abortion provisions in the bill."
The powerful Catholic bishops weren't on board, either.
"Without seeing the details of the executive order, our conclusion has been that an executive order cannot override or change the central problems in the statute. Those need a legislative fix," Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the bishops' conference's Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, said in an interview.
The bishops contend that the legislation before the House Sunday allows federal funding of abortion.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, dismissed the executive order and said, "Make no mistake, a 'yes' vote on the Democrats' health care bill is a vote for taxpayer-funded abortions."
Stupak said he would have preferred to change the law itself, as sought by the bishops and others, but that it wasn't possible because the votes weren't there in the Senate.
"We cannot get more than 45 pro-life votes in the Senate. The bishops are right, statutory law is better than an executive order. We can't get there," Stupak said. "So what do you have, nothing? Or do you want the same executive order that has the force of law? I'll take the executive order."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Abortion Foes and Pro-Choicers Unite Against Obama Decision" by Kelly Chernenkoff, FOX News Blog 3/22/10
Late in the vote-gathering game, it had appeared President Obama might be able to pass the vote threshold by the skin of his teeth. But in order to lock in that success, as well as glide through an abortion-specific vote unscathed, the President needed to lure the most vocal opponents of his party; specifically, the Bart Stupaks of the US Congress. He did just that.
He [Stupak] told Megyn Kelly that it's better to have an imperfect bill then nothing at all.
But does the order do anything beyond restate what is already destined to become law?
. . . For those concerned about the order, what about its longevity? Abortion opponents say Mr. Obama could easily repeal it.
Stupak told reporters he trusts the President, "The president didn't sign it to rip it up tomorrow."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Stupak Decision Blasted As ‘Unconscionable’" By Susan Jones, CNSNews Senior Editor 3/22/10
Pro-life activists call it “regrettable” that Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) ended up abandoning those who stood by him in his opposition to taxpayer funding of abortion in the Democrats’ health care bill.
Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote.org, said Stupak’s decision to accept the promise of a presidential executive order as a solution to the abortion-funding issue is “unconscionable.”
“The Executive Order fix is a band-aid solution that fails to solve the fundamental problems in this bill, and can be repealed at any time, for any reason, by the president or future presidents. The order is likely to be challenged by pro-abortion groups, and could be struck down by the courts,” Burch said in a news release issued Sunday night.
“The Catholic Bishops along with CatholicVote.org and every major pro-life organization oppose this 'fix.' We have defended Rep. Stupak for months, but today we stand in protest of his decision,” Burch added.
Stupak’s last-minute decision to vote in support of the health care bill he opposed for so long made all the difference in Democrats’ getting enough votes for passage.
But pro-life activists say the Executive Order on abortion funding will further politicize the issue. It will put decisions on taxpayer funding for abortion as well as conscience protections in the hands of Obama, future presidents, and Health and Human Services Secrtary Kathleen Sebelius, Burch said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
