Several pro-life amendments have been proposed to the Labor/Health and Human Services
appropriations bill in the House of Representatives.
- AdvanceUSA
blog reported
on the important
amendment proposed by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a staunch pro-life
ally, and Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) which brings the funding of the National Cord
Blood Inventory program to the full $15 million originally allocated for the
program. AdvanceUSA is happy to report that this amendment passed in
committee by a voice vote. Under the original bill the program would have
been drastically under-funded so Congressmen Smith and Davis deserve great
credit for supporting this promising and ethical medical program.
- Rep. Mike
Pence (R-IN) has proposed an amendment which would prevent tax dollars under
Title X (family planning provisions in U.S. law) from going to Planned
Parenthood or any of its affiliates. As recently mentioned
on this blog, Planned Parenthood is a major force for the evil of abortion
in our nation, and any effort to prevent tax-payer dollars from supporting it
should be applauded.
- Rep. Phil
Gingrey (R-GA) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) proposed an amendment which forbids
any of the funds relating to the Labor/HHS bill from being used to enforce mandatory
HPV vaccinations, and it was approved by voice vote yesterday. The
concern is that when state governments force parents to vaccinate their
children for a malady that is spread by sexual content it usurps parental
control over their children’s health care and could undermine parental teaching
on sexual activity.
- Rep. Jean
Schmidt (R-OH) proposed an amendment which would have denied funds for
recipients of Title X money if they do not abide by state reporting
requirements in regard to child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape,
or incest. There have been numerous cases of alleged abuse coverup by
Planned Parenthood (also see here
and here*),
and efforts to bring real accountability to this organization are
commendable. Unfortunately, the Schmidt amendment was ruled “non-germane”
and was subsequently withdrawn.
* A story
archived at the Cincinnati Enquirer’s website entitled “Planned Parenthood
looked the other way, Mason rape victim says” by Peter Bronson also chronicles
another outrageous Planned Parenthood alleged coverup in Ohio. This article is not free but can
be purchased at Cincinnati.com.
UPDATE: Unfortunately the Pence
amendment to prevent federal funds from supporting Planned Parenthood failed
last night by a vote of 189-231. To see how your representative voted on this
important pro-life amendment click
here.