Daniel
Herbster reporting
The
Freedom of Choice Act may sound like an innovative education bill but it’s
anything but. This legislation if passed
would not only enshrine the infamous Roe vs. Wade opinion into federal law, but
it would also destroy every sensible limitation on abortion which federal,
state, and local governments have ever instituted. Many pro-choice politicians, including one of
the major presidential candidates, support this bill. My friend and colleague Tom McClusky, who is
Vice President at the Family Research Council,
recently prepared
a paper detailing just what the Freedom of Choice Act would mean for our
nation and the pro-life cause. I
recently had the chance to interview Tom about the Freedom of Choice Act and
his work at FRC.
DH: What is the Freedom of Choice Act?
TM: Some
of the supporters of the "Freedom of Choice Act" state that it merely
codifies Roe v. Wade. This
could not be further from the truth. As
the American Civil Liberties Union said in its Reproductive Rights Update from
December 20, 1991, "This [FOCA] bill prohibits such restrictions as
parental notification and consent, as well as the requirement that all
abortions be performed in a hospital, spousal consent, waiting periods ..."
DH: What kinds of effects would it have on
abortion restrictions in our nation?
TM: If
FOCA were to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by a pro-abortion
President, it would single-handedly overturn countless laws that have passed in
the states in relation to abortion.
DH: If you had to come up with a different name
for this bill (one that more accurately describes its effects and intention),
what would it be?
TM: Federal
Usurpation of Rights and Abortion on Demand Act (FURADA?)
DH: What are some of the most surprising or
important things you learned about the proposed Freedom of Choice Act as you
prepared your research paper?
TM: It
was interesting studying the outcome in states that have passed similar laws on
the state level, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Nevada and
Washington. In each of these states the abortion levels have increased since
passage of the legislation, despite the national rates of abortion going
down. Those supporting FOCA have argued
that abortion rates would go down if we had LESS restriction on abortion –
however this shows the opposite is the case.
DH: How likely is it that this legislation could
be passed into law?
TM: It
has the support of some powerful Senators, including Senators Barack Obama
(D-Ill.), Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) On the House side
it has 108 cosponsors and in the past has had the support of Speaker Nancy
Pelosi (D-Calif.) It is assumed that if a pro-abortion President were to take
over the White House this bill would be a top priority.
DH: Have the major presidential candidates made
any statements or taken positions on this bill?
TM: Senator
John McCain (R-Ariz.) has been silent on the legislation, though his record
would indicate he would not be supportive.
Senator Obama is not only a cosponsor when he addressed a Planned
Parenthood event on July 17, 2007, he told the audience of pro-abortion
advocates and donors, " The
first thing I will do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act." His
statement garnered a standing ovation.
DH: What could our readers do to prevent this
troubling legislation from being passed into law?
TM: They
should contact their Congressional delegation in Washington, DC and also ask
their State representatives, governors and attorney generals to contact
Congress to voice their displeasure at this attack on state rights. Regardless of their view on abortion most
people would be opposed to such an attack on state rights and to taxpayer
funding of abortion.
DH: I’m sure most of our readers are familiar
with the Family Research Council, but for those who are not, could you quickly summarize
the mission of FRC?
TM: FRC
is a public policy organization with a Judeo-Christian view.
DH: What are your responsibilities at FRC?
TM: I
run the government Affairs department which monitors legislation on the federal
and state levels.
DH: I have great memories of working side-by-side
with you and others associated with FRC on important issues. Are there any highlights from your work in
the pro-life, pro-family movement you’d like to share?
TM: Though
I played a relatively small role in the proceedings it was with great pride to
see the swearing in of both John Roberts and Samuel Alito. My predecessor, Connie Mackey, played a huge
role in those nominations both in front of and behind the scenes.
DH: Does FRC have any resources on the upcoming
elections that our readers could benefit from?
TM: Our
C-4, FRCAction does. We currently have a
Presidential Voter Guide and will soon be releasing voter guides for key
Federal races and our 110th Congressional Scorecard that covers key
social issues votes in this Congress.
DH: Tom, it’s been great getting in touch with
you again. Keep up the great work!
Note:
The views of any interviewee do not necessarily reflect the views of
AdvanceUSA.