NEWS SHORTS FOR THURSDAY
Idaho 'Conscience' Bill Passes House, Heads to Guv
The "conscience" bill on abortion, emergency contraception and end-of-life care has won final passage in the House on a 51-18 vote, but it wasn’t a straight party-line vote. Democrats Branden Durst of Boise and James Ruchti of Pocatello voted in favor of the bill, along with most House Republicans; while Republicans Tom Trail of Moscow and George Eskridge of Dover voted against it, along with most House Democrats; Rep. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, missed the vote. The measure, SB1353, earlier passed the Senate, so it now heads to the governor’s desk. It permits any licensed health care professional, from pharmacists to nurses, to refuse to provide any treatment or medication that violates their conscience if it relates to abortion, emergency contraception, end-of-life care or stem cells. “They would not have have to provide a service that was not in agreement with their conscience,” said Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, the bill’s House sponsor.
Click here for the entire article from Spokesman.
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Stalled Despite Obama's Try At Lifting Restrictions
One year after Obama announced he was lifting his predecessor's controversial restrictions on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, some scientists are complaining that so far the new policy is -- ironically -- more of a burden than a boon to their work. "The situation at the moment is worse than it was under the Bush administration," said Charles Murry, a professor of pathology and bioengineering at the University of Washington in Seattle. "Because of this, we are going to waste a lot of time." At issue is the fate of the 21 "lines of cells" that President George W. Bush said could receive federal funding.
Click here for the entire article from the Washington Post.
Stupak: It's Been 'A Living Hell'
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) on Thursday was quoted in The Hill as describing the level of pressure upon him and his fellow pro-life Democrats to pass the health care bill as "a living hell."
"How's it been? Like a living hell," Stupak told the newspaper, describing how his district offices have been "jammed" with strong feedback, much of it from non-constituents, over his opposition to the massively abortion-expanding bill.
The vitriol has even affected his home life, said the Michigan Democrat, who described the measures his wife has taken to block out the anger that is being directed at her husband. "All the phones are unplugged at our house - tired of the obscene calls and threats. She won't watch TV," he said. "People saying they're going to spit on you and all this. That's just not fun."
Despite the enormous pressure, the former state trooper indicated he wasn't about to budge. "I'm pretty stubborn," said Stupak.
Click here for the entire article from LifeSiteNews.
Obamacare: Idaho Law Now Requires the Attorney General to Sue
Obamacare would require each and every one of us buy private health insurance unless we are covered by our employers. That sure seems unconstitutional to me. While the Feds certainly have the power to regulate commerce among the states, I don’t think they have the power to require it.
Laws with suspect provisions generally result in litigation. (We lawyers always win.) Such a legal challenge is now certain if Obamacare passes. Idaho just enacted a law requiring its attorney general to sue to invalidate the must-purchase provision. If that happens, Obamacare collapses of its own weight.
Click here for the entire article from Secondhand Smoke.
N.J. Governor Chris Christie Proposes Complete Elimination of Funding for Family Planning in the FY 2011 N.J. State Budget
Since the 1970's, NJ family planning agencies run by Planned Parenthood, have been receiving millions of taxpayer dollars from the state budget. The amount of funding these groups received had nearly doubled since 2002. During this same period, the state of New Jersey was assigned the notable distinction of being named one of the top three states in the nation with the highest teen abortion rates.
Click here for the entire article from New Jersey Right to Life.
Democrat Sen. Brown Won't Say If ‘Slaughter Rule’ Constitutional Because He Works in Senate
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) would not say whether using the Slaughter Rule to pass health care is constitutional because, he said, he works in the Senate and does not "know House rules anymore.”
If applied, the Slaughter Rule – named for House Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) – would deem the Senate health care bill passed in the House without an actual vote on the bill as required by Article 1, Section VII of the Constitution.
On Capitol Hill on Wednesday, CNSNews.com asked Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), “I want to ask you about the Slaughter Rule that has been proposed to use in the House. Do you think it’s constitutional?”
Senator Brown said, “I work in the Senate. I don’t know House rules anymore.” (click here for the video)
Click here for the entire article from CNSNews.com.
Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Ste E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
