Possible legal challenges to sweeping new abortion law limited in scope, pro-life legal expert says

Legal challenges to the newly minted Reproductive Health Act (RHA) that lifts all restrictions on abortion in Illinois will come in response to narrow applications of the law, Clarke Forsythe (pictured), senior counsel at Americans United for Life, told Prairie State Wire.

“Nothing about the law, at least on the face of it, violates the Illinois or U.S. Constitution,” he said.

The way the law is implemented and enforced, however, could invite a challenge – for example, holding a doctor or other health care provider who is opposed to abortion in violation of the law if they refuse to participate in an abortion or refuse to refer a patient to an abortion provider.

“That would violate the state’s Right of Conscience Act,” Forsyth said.  Click here for more.

New study sheds light on the beginning of human lifev

Human life begins at conception. To quote just one authoritative human embryology textbook: “Human development begins at fertilization when a sperm unites with an oocyte [ovum] to form a single cell zygote. This highly specialized, totipotent cell marks the beginning of each of us as a unique individual.” (Moore, K.L., Persaud, T.V.N. & Torchia, M.G. (2015). The developing human: clinically oriented embryology (10th ed.).

This fact is uncontroversial from a scientific point of view (however much it might be debated by some abortion advocates). However, the exact mechanism by which embryonic development begins has long fascinated developmental biologists.

How Does Human Development Start?

As a result of fertilization, a unique genome forms from chromosomes contributed by the egg from the mother and sperm from the father. However, this new genome is initially inactive and must be “awakened” to begin the transcription of its DNA and start embryonic development.  Click here for more.

Trump Administration changes to Title X upheld by appeals court

Now, this is what I call a lead sentence, written by Alice Miranda Ollstein, for POLITICO:

A federal appeals court this morning said the Trump administration’s family planning rules can take effect nationwide while several lawsuits play out, delivering a major blow to Planned Parenthood and states challenging the overhaul.

As NRL News Today reported on multiple occasions, the rule change made by HHS restored–emphasis on restored–Title X family planning regulations to prohibit grantees from co-locating with abortion clinics, or from referring clients for abortion. Nothing to do with cutting family planning money—none was cut—but everything to do with ensuring that health facilities receiving Title X funds do not perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning.

The effect of the decision rendered by three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was to “lift a national injunctions ordered by lower federal courts in Oregon and Washington state, as well as a statewide injunction in California,” Ollstein explained.  Click here for more.

Yes, pro-abortion research confirms, the Hyde Amendment does save lives

Pro-abortion Democrats have always hated the Hyde Amendment. It sent a clear signal that taxpayer dollars would not go to underwrite elective abortions—a position supported for decades by opinion polls—and took away at least two million customers from the likes of Planned Parenthood—resulting in two million saved babies.

Writing at the pro-abortion site Vox.com, Anna North tells us that they received an advance copy of research published Wednesday in the Journal BMC Women’s Health. You could know the results ahead of time simply by looking at the authors—“ researchers at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), a group at the University of California San Francisco.”

North tells us the study provides “up-to-date research on what actually happens to pregnant people when they want an abortion but their insurance won’t cover it.” The researchers “surveyed pregnant women in Louisiana on whether they had ever considered abortion. For those who considered the procedure but didn’t have one, researchers asked if lack of Medicaid coverage was part of the reason why.”

Not surprisingly, the answer is yes! North writes

“Based on the women’s responses, the researchers estimated that about 29 percent of Louisiana women who would have had an abortion if Medicaid covered the procedure instead chose to give birth. … They also estimated that lack of Medicaid coverage leads 3,000 women to give birth every year who would otherwise choose abortion.”

North notes, “Abortion opponents see preventing the procedure as a positive thing.” Ah, yes, millions of fewer dead babies is a good thing.  Click here for more.

Missouri Judge Grants Planned Parenthood’s Request to Seal Alleged Health Violations

A St. Louis judge has granted Planned Parenthood’s request to seal a list of health violations alleged by the state of Missouri and has denied the state’s request that he reconsider his order requiring the health department to make a formal decision on whether to renew the facility’s license.

Circuit Court Judge Michael Stelzer granted the request by Reproductive Health Services (RHS) of Planned Parenthood to seal a “statement of deficiencies” filed by Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

Abortion clinic watchdog group Operation Rescue received copies of the deficiency report
 (Exhibit A) on June 14, before the court sealed the document. Click here for more

House Democrats pass appropriations bill with Hyde Amendment intact

The House of Representatives passed a combination appropriations bill on Wednesday afternoon that renews the Hyde Amendment, preventing federal Medicaid funds from being used for abortions.

The bill passed by a vote of 226-203 on June 19 and contains funding for four separate spending areas, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the provisions of the Hyde Amendment. Click here for more

Congressman warns of 'pro-abortion legislation on steroids'

Late last night, two pro-life amendments to H.R. 2740, the House Appropriations bill, were defeated by nearly uniform opposition from pro-abortion Democrats. The amendments were on pro-life policies related to conscience rights of healthcare providers and taxpayer dollars going to facilities that provide abortion. More votes are expected, and National Right to Life strongly opposes final passage of H.R. 2740. A current scorecard of pro-life votes can be viewed here. The following is excerpted from remarks delivered Wednesday on the House Floor regarding HR 2740.

Mr. Speaker, the bill under consideration today reverses several—at least nine—life affirming pro-life policies including conscience protection, Title X reform, the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance and more.

This is pro-abortion legislation on steroids.

But passage won’t be the last word.

President Trump made it clear last January—in writing—that he will veto any piece of legislation that undermines, weakens, or nullifies any pro-life policy, regulation or rule. Click here for more

Senators seek FBI update on Planned Parenthood’s aborted body parts criminal referrals

Two U.S. senators are asking authorities for an update to a previous Judiciary Committee investigation, which issued criminal referrals for Planned Parenthood Federation of America and several affiliates and organizations connected to the sale of the body parts of aborted children. A press release issued by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) this week states that he and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) “sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray following up on Grassley’s 2016 referral of eight organizations for investigation and potential prosecution for the alleged sale of human fetal tissue following a 2016 Grassley-led Committee investigation.” Grassley was the former Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman at the time of the hearings and states that in June, the FBI confirmed to the Committee they had received the referrals.

A previous Live Action News report at the time the criminal referrals were issued named the eight organizations as follows:

Planned Parenthood Federation of America
StemExpress, LLC
Advanced Bioscience Resources, Inc. (ABR)
Novogenix Laboratories, LLC
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte
Planned Parenthood Los Angeles
Planned Parenthood Northern California
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest

Click here for more

Planned Parenthood Refuses to Respond to Congressional Request for Information Regarding What Percentage of Abortions the Organization Performs on Women of Color

Pro-life and human rights advocates are asking the simple question, "What is Planned Parenthood trying to hide?"
 
On March 11, 2019 Congressman Russ Fulcher (pictured) sent a letter to Planned Parenthood's President, Dr. Leana Wen, asking her to, "Please provide to me what percentage of abortions your organization performs on women of color."

In that March 11 letter, Congressman Fulcher stated, "Margaret Sanger embraced a philosophy of racial discrimination and eugenics." He goes on to say, "I must do all that I can to ensure her racist and eugenic policies are still not being implemented today."

In a letter sent to Dr. Wen on June 13, 2019, Congressman Fulcher shares, "It is most troubling that, after three months, I have not been given the courtesy of a response from you or your organization.  I do not know the reason for your disregard of my request or the apparent lack of respect for the very institution responsible for allocating over 500 million dollars a year to Planned Parenthood."

Mr. Fulcher once again asks for Planned Parenthood to provide the percentage of abortions they perform on women of color and concludes with this stern warning. "If you chose not to respond, I will pursue all avenues available to me as a member of Congress to obtain this information."  Click here for more.

American Medical Association Votes to Continue Opposition to Physician-assisted Suicide. But Will the American Nurses Association Follow?

Over the last few years the American Medical Association (AMA) has been under enormous pressure from assisted suicide supporters and groups like Compassion and Choices as well as some other professional associations to change its’ long standing opposition to physician-assisted suicide to “neutrality”.

This month, the AMA House of Delegates decisively approved a strong report from AMA’s Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs [CEJA] reaffirming current AMA policy on physician-assisted suicide stating that:

“permitting physicians to engage in assisted suicide would ultimately cause more harm than good. Physician-assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer, would be difficult or impossible to control, and would pose serious societal risks. Instead of engaging in assisted suicide, physicians must aggressively respond to the needs of patients at the end of life.”

Dr. Shane Macaulay, MD, of Kirkland, Washington, speaking for the Washington delegation supported the report, stating that:

“Oregon legalized assisted suicide in 1997 with repeated assurances that it would stay contained and would not become euthanasia” (but) “Just last month, the Oregon state House of Representatives approved a bill to allow patient death by lethal injection, showing the inevitable progression from assisted suicide to euthanasia once physicians have accepted the idea that taking a patient’s life is permissible.”  Click here for more.

Pro-abortion man who roundhouse kicked pro-life woman receives probation

Jordan Hunt, the Toronto hair stylist caught roundhouse kicking a pro-life woman in a viral video last fall, received a conditional discharge and eight months’ probation Thursday on two charges of assault and one of mischief under $5,000.

Hunt, 27, also apologized to "everyone I hurt by my actions” in an undated letter which Justice Michael Block read out to the court. Click here for more

Cover-up? Judge seals records of badly botched abortions at Missouri Planned Parenthood

In a shocking move that appears to be a cover-up attempt to protect RHS Planned Parenthood in St. Louis, Missouri, and its abortionists, Judge Michael F. Stelzer has sealed documents attached to the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services motion known as “Exhibit A,” which contains multiple damning pieces of information about the facility, including serious deficiencies on the part of the abortionists. It appears that Judge Stelzer sealed Exhibit A at the request of RHS Planned Parenthood.

Pro-life watchdog group Operation Rescue is reporting that Judge Stelzer, who kept Reproductive Health Services Planned Parenthood in St. Louis open despite the expiration of its license, has denied a motion on behalf of the DHHS asking that the Court reconsider or amend the Preliminary Injunction he issued on June 10, 2019. Multiple botched abortions, serious injuries to women, and failure to follow basic protocol expected of any medical facility followed by a complete refusal to be interviewed by the Department of Health show that RHS Planned Parenthood has zero interest in protecting and helping women. Click here for more

2020 Dems to debate who’s most pro-abortion at Planned Parenthood candidates’ forum

Eleven Democrats running for the party’s presidential nomination will descend on South Carolina next weekend for a candidate forum organized by Planned Parenthood Action Fund, presumably for the attendees to demonstrate who has the most aggressive devotion to abortion-on-demand.

The event will take place on Saturday, June 22 at the University of South Carolina, The State reported, running concurrently with the South Carolina Democrat Party Convention. Click here for more

The Supreme Court must overturn Roe v. Wade. Precedent demands it

With the recent spate of pro-life legislation being passed across America, many people are wondering about the future of the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. The decision, upheld in 1992’s Planned Parenthood v. Casey, wrote the “right to have an abortion” into our Constitution despite the silence of that document on any such “right.”

The Roe decision is irredeemable; it has been thoroughly criticized even by believers in abortion for its overtly regulatory, policy-making nature. During the writing of it, as Bob Woodward reported in his book on the Court, “The clerks in most chambers were surprised to see the Justices ... so openly brokering their decision like a group of legislators[.] ... There was something embarrassing and dishonest about this whole process.” Click here for more

Heartbreaking video: Dad begs for his baby’s life as mom goes in for the abortion

It is one of the most heart-rending videos I have ever seen. It was shot outside the grotesquely named Hope Clinic for Women and shows a young man wearing a blue hoodie and a grey baseball cap pulled backwards over his shaggy hair pleading in front of the clinic doors. He is crouching, hands outstretched towards the closed door, pleading in a shrill tone of desperation that cuts straight to the soul. “Please don’t kill our baby! Abby, please don’t kill our baby! Abby…” and the voice shatters and trails off into wrenching sobs.

This video went viral on Twitter on Father’s Day. It was first posted to pro-life activist John Ryan’s Facebook account this past weekend with the following description:

Fathers Day weekend nightmare. This father is kneeling at the doors of this abortion mill crying out hysterically for the life of his child. His name is Tyler. Mothers name is Abby. Please pray for him. He said Abby has been abused in her life and one of those involved in the abuse, her stepmother, is the one that brought her here to kill their child. He said she has three other children at home including a 4 1/2-year-old who is very much aware that mom is pregnant and looking forward to the birth of her sibling. He said they planned this baby. The baby at risk is 12 weeks old. In the attached videos you can hear this father crying out for his child’s life. It is heartbreaking. This is what a real father does when his child is in imminent danger. Click here for more

Sick: Proceeds from Selena Gomez’s ‘1973’ necklace support late-term abortion

Singer Selena Gomez hasn’t exactly been quiet about her love for abortion, but now she is donning a necklace that directly supports late-term abortion along with some of the country’s most notorious abortionists. Gomez’s “1973” necklace is a nod to Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States based on the notion that preborn human beings, like slaves were to slave owners, are not persons.

But the necklace isn’t just a symbol of Gomez’s love of abortion; it’s a call to action for her fans to follow suit and financially support a major organization of abortionists to the tune of $380 a necklace. The necklace was created by Sophie Ratner Jewelry, which is donating 30 percent of the proceeds to the Physicians for Reproductive Health, a group closely aligned with controversial abortionists.  Click here for more.

VIDEO: Abortion botched in Chicago, the same day Illinois law passed

A post-abortive woman at a facility in Chicago was rushed to the hospital last week after suffering from what seems like symptoms of a hemorrhage.

According to Operation Rescue and the Pro-Life Action League, a 911 call was placed for a woman who had undergone a surgical abortion at the Family Planning Associates facility in Chicago. Operation Rescue obtained audio of the 911 call.“The patient had an outpatient surgical procedure today which was uneventful,” a physician’s assistant said. “But after surgery, she started to become hypertensive and tachycardic. She’s not responsive to fluid boluses. She’s responsive, her vitals are stable now that they’re down a little bit. She can get up and walk to the bathroom, so she’s stable but she needs to go to the hospital.”  Click here for more.

Court rules that US Government must allow taxpayer-funded abortions for undocumented minors

On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit blocked a Trump administration ruling that prevented undocumented teens under the government’s care from getting taxpayer-funded abortions.

According to the 2017 policy, minors in government shelters or holding facilities were not permitted access to abortion facilities. Then-director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Scott Lloyd, whose pro-life track record includes representing the parents of Terri Schiavo in court, has said that he does not believe in the dubious “constitutional right” to abortion, nor that it is “health care.” Lloyd thus argued it was not required for the ORR to provide it routinely to undocumented immigrants in federal care.  Click here for more.

Republicans call on Trump admin to stop abortion funding for congressional staff

Nearly 100 pro-life members of Congress are calling on the Trump administration to stop subsidizing congressional health insurance plans that cover abortion, a practice supposed to be forbidden under federal law.

The 1984 Smith Amendment bars federal funds from being used to “pay for an abortion, or the administrative expenses in connection with any health plan under the Federal employees health benefits program which provides any benefits or coverage for abortions,” except in cases of rape, incest, or to save a mother’s life. Click here for more.

Illinois Passes Abortion Law More Radical Than New York’s, Networks Refuse to Report

On Wednesday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law a new abortion bill that is being called more radical than New York’s law that was passed in January.

So far none of the broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) have reported on the Illinois law that – among other things – does away with that state’s ban on partial-birth abortions.

This continues the broadcast network news trend to ignore passage of far-left abortion legislation while depicting state laws meant to protect the rights of the unborn as “extreme.”

From the morning of May 7 (when Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the Life Act into law) through the morning of June 13 (the day after Illinois’s law was signed), the Big Three networks filled their evening and morning shows with 3 hours, 20 minutes of coverage often including loaded language depicting these new pro-life laws as “extreme” and “restrictive” attacks on women’s rights – as opposed to “protective” of the rights of the unborn.

But when New York passed its radical law legalizing late term abortions in January, the networks gave it zero coverage. The legislation, signed into law by liberal New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, eventually received 12 seconds of coverage on the May 16 NBC Nightly News.

So far the networks have devoted 0 seconds to the Illinois law which, according to reports from Fox News and Live Action, is even worse than New York’s.

On June 12 Fox’s Caleb Parke reported the following:

“The bill, effectively immediately, repeals a 1975 Illinois abortion law. It eliminates spousal consent, waiting periods, criminal penalties for abortion providers and restrictions on abortion facilities, such as licensing requirements and health and safety inspections. It also repealed the state’s Partial-birth Abortion Ban Act and establishes ‘that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights under the law, of this State.’ Former Illinois state representative and Thomas More Society Vice President Peter Breen slammed the measure as ‘the most radical sweeping pro-abortion measure in America and makes Illinois an abortion destination for the country,’ protecting abortion to a greater degree than Free Speech and other First Amendment rights.”    Click here for more.