The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) opposes the COVID-19 reconciliation bill, known as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and scored this vote. On this roll call, No. 49, 219 Democrats voted for the measure, while 210 Republicans and 2 Democrats opposed it (NRLC
position).
The legislation addresses the Covid-19 pandemic response. However, the legislation contains numerous provisions aimed at propping up the abortion industry as well as potentially funneling millions of dollars into programs without Hyde Amendment protections.
Unlike the previous COVID-19 relief packages, the current legislation fails to include Hyde protections. The absence of Hyde language means over $414 billion taxpayer dollars can be used to pay for elective abortion or plans that cover elective abortion. The bill provides $50 million to the Title X family planning program, identified as Planned Parenthood’s biggest source of discretionary funding under Obama. The package also fails to prevent
millions of taxpayer dollars from being used to pay for elective abortion overseas.
A letter with a fuller description of this and other abortion provisions can be viewed here.
UPCOMING SENATE ACTION:
The Senate is expected to take up a modified version of this legislation later this week. An ACTION ALERT for the Senate
posted here.
H.R. 1, the So-Called "For the People Act of 2021" (restrictions on free speech)
The so-called "For the People Act of 2021" is intended to make it as difficult as possible for corporations (including nonprofit, issue-oriented corporations such as NRLC) to spend money to communicate with the public about the actions of federal officeholders, by applying an array of restrictions on ads, as well as requirements that violate the privacy rights of
donors.
NRLC expressed its strong opposition and intention to score a vote to the bill in alettersent to members of the House of Representatives in March, 2021.The overriding purpose of the legislation is "to discourage, as much as possible, disfavored groups (such as NRLC) from communicating about
officeholders, by exposing citizens who support such efforts to harassment and intimidation, and by smothering organizations in layer on layer of record keeping and reporting requirements, all backed by the threat of civil and criminal sanctions.
The House is expected to take up this legislation this week. An ACTION ALERT for the Senate
postedhere.
The So-Called Equality Act
National Right to Life Committee opposed passage of H.R. 5, which passed the House, 224-206, on February 25, 2021 (House Roll Call No. 39). The bill was supported by 221 Democrats and 3
Republicans. It was opposed by 206 Republicans. 2 Republicans did not vote. The three Republicans voting in favor of the bill were Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), John Katko (NY), Tom Reed (NY). Two Republicans did not vote.
In addition to other issues, H.R. 5 poses a significant pro-life threat. It amends the 1964 Civil Rights Act, adding language that could be used to make abortions more available, expand taxpayer funding of abortion, and weaken conscience protections for health care providers opposed to participating in abortions. More on this legislation can be
foundhere.
Timing on a Senate vote is unclear but could happen on short notice. An ACTION ALERT for the Senate postedhere.
Not only does Mr. Becerra lack meaningful healthcare experience, but he would also use this office to impose his ideology on matters related to abortion and other right to life concerns, among others. NRLC has urged against advancing or approving the nomination and reserves the right to include any appropriate roll call(s) on the nomination in our scorecard of key right-to-life roll calls of the 117th
Congress.
Given HHS’s critical role in ongoing vaccine production and distribution, along with the regulatory power the agency has in implementing recovery legislation, it is alarming that a nominee with no health experience has been put forth.
While Mr. Becerra lacks public-health experience, he does have a proven track record of being hostile on pro-life issues. As California’s attorney general, Mr. Becerra repeatedly and aggressively attacked protective pro-life laws and organizations with rancor. While a congressman, he had a 100% pro-abortion voting record. More on his record can be
foundhere.
NRL News published several articles on the member’s strong questioning and evasive answers from Becerra:
Notice on a vote will come with a few days lead time. An ACTION ALERT for the Senate
posted here.
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Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters, is the nation's oldest and largest grassroots
pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement, NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Involved in every election since Ronald Reagan’s election to the presidency, National Right to Life Political Action Committee was formed in 1979 as the political arm of National Right to Life. The National Right to Life Victory Fund, an independent expenditure political action committee founded in 2012, is dedicated to electing
pro-life leaders to the White House and Congress.
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