The Sad State of the Iowa Legislature's 2009 Pro-Life Record
The following is taken from Iowa Catholic Conference End of Session Newsletter for 2009 which came out on 3 May 2009. The opening line from the Pro-Life section about the current environment not being congenial is an understatement. The reason I say that is simple. The Speaker of the House is Pat Murphy from DBQ. He is a memeber of my parish who, when the Dems were in the mionority tried to pass himself off as Pro-Life, but since the Dems has been in power has proven how much of a pro-abortion Catholic In Name Only he really is. As I have said in a previous post, he is a liar as well.
Pat Murphy is part of the "majority legislative leadership" that "was clear in their support of the Supreme Court's decision" who made it clear that he would "never allowed a vote in . . . the . . . . House," refered to in the line from the Families & Children section. This is the same Murphy who promised before the ruling that he would work for an amendment. Like I said, he is a liar, plain & simple. Unfortunately, we have way to many so-called Catholics in DBQ who are pro-choice & an Archbishop who has failed to take the lead he should on the issue.
Probably 1 of the saddest lines in the report was that the most positive thing they could say was: "the state continued to fund - albeit at a much lower level -- crisis pregnancy counseling services." (emphasis mine) In other words, at least the didn't cut out crisis pregnancy counciling altogether.
Growing up in a state that used to be 1 of the most positive role models for ethics & morality, it breaks my heart to see how we have changed over the last few years into 1 of the cutting edge states when it comes to supporting the "culture of death". I have to believe this is a fluke & when the people of Iowa realize how far out of touch with true Iowa values the state leadership is, they will demand a return to the solid moral values this state was built on. We might do well to remember what the Preamble of the Iowa Constitution says: "WE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF IOWA, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the State of Iowa".
If I am wrong about the people of Iowa today, if they are solidly in line with the current leadership, if we ignore our state's history, & if we don't return to those values that the Constitution shows it is clearly based on, then I fear for what will happen. The fruit this state will have to reap for its turning it's back on God will be a discontinuation of those blessings mentioned.
PRO-LIFE
The current environment with the Democratic Party controlling the legislature and the governor's office is not congenial to Iowa Catholic Conference-supported bills relating to abortion. These bills included House File 231, reporting of abortion complications; House File 323, the "Woman's Right to Know Act," and House File 567, which would have prohibited the granting of state funds to entities that provide or are affiliates of organizations that provide abortions.
The Woman's Right to Know Act would have provided for an informed consent process of at least 24 hours before an abortion is performed. This legislation sought to empower women with the availability of information, including the viewing of an ultrasound, and respected the right of women to review the information or not.
Since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the practice of abortion has been exempt from many medical standards, including a requirement for informed consent. Interestingly, a Harris Poll conducted last December showed that 88 percent of Americans supported "informed consent" laws regarding abortion.
No matter a person's view about whether there should be a constitutional right to abortion, nearly everyone would agree that abortion is a very difficult and personal issue for women. While the effect on the unborn child is obvious, there is also the possibility of serious negative effects for the woman. Many women who have had abortions report they regret their decision. We believe it is critically important that she have access to all relevant information that is available.
On the positive side, the state continued to fund - albeit at a much lower level -- crisis pregnancy counseling services.
In addition, during debate in the House on House File 811, the health and human services budget, there were several failed moves to restrict funding for family planning in the state. Currently more than $21 million in federal (Medicaid and Title X) and state government funds are used for this purpose in Iowa. We support a prohibition on awarding state funds to entities that provide or are affiliates of organizations that provide abortions. While a five percent increase in Medicaid family planning reimbursement rates was approved, a state government grant which had expanded family planning services ended up being significantly cut.
On the national scene, Cardinal Justin Rigali, chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), wrote to all U.S. Representatives urging them to co-sponsor the Pregnant Women Support Act (PWSA, H.R. 2035). The bill was re-introduced in the House by Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN) on April 22. The PWSA provides resources and support for pregnant and parenting women and their families.
The current environment with the Democratic Party controlling the legislature and the governor's office is not congenial to Iowa Catholic Conference-supported bills relating to abortion. These bills included House File 231, reporting of abortion complications; House File 323, the "Woman's Right to Know Act," and House File 567, which would have prohibited the granting of state funds to entities that provide or are affiliates of organizations that provide abortions.
The Woman's Right to Know Act would have provided for an informed consent process of at least 24 hours before an abortion is performed. This legislation sought to empower women with the availability of information, including the viewing of an ultrasound, and respected the right of women to review the information or not.
Since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the practice of abortion has been exempt from many medical standards, including a requirement for informed consent. Interestingly, a Harris Poll conducted last December showed that 88 percent of Americans supported "informed consent" laws regarding abortion.
No matter a person's view about whether there should be a constitutional right to abortion, nearly everyone would agree that abortion is a very difficult and personal issue for women. While the effect on the unborn child is obvious, there is also the possibility of serious negative effects for the woman. Many women who have had abortions report they regret their decision. We believe it is critically important that she have access to all relevant information that is available.
On the positive side, the state continued to fund - albeit at a much lower level -- crisis pregnancy counseling services.
In addition, during debate in the House on House File 811, the health and human services budget, there were several failed moves to restrict funding for family planning in the state. Currently more than $21 million in federal (Medicaid and Title X) and state government funds are used for this purpose in Iowa. We support a prohibition on awarding state funds to entities that provide or are affiliates of organizations that provide abortions. While a five percent increase in Medicaid family planning reimbursement rates was approved, a state government grant which had expanded family planning services ended up being significantly cut.
On the national scene, Cardinal Justin Rigali, chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), wrote to all U.S. Representatives urging them to co-sponsor the Pregnant Women Support Act (PWSA, H.R. 2035). The bill was re-introduced in the House by Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN) on April 22. The PWSA provides resources and support for pregnant and parenting women and their families.
FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
On April 3rd, the Iowa Supreme Court struck down the part of Iowa's marriage law which defined marriage as being between one man and one woman. Following the announcement of the decision, the Iowa bishops spoke out again in favor of an amendment to Iowa's constitution which would define marriage in the traditional way. We lobbied many legislators, particularly in the Iowa House, in the expectation of the chamber taking a vote on such an amendment. Many individual Catholics did the same. However, majority legislative leadership was clear in their support of the Supreme Court's decision and never allowed a vote in either the Senate or House. The state began issuing marriage licenses to all couples last week.
On April 3rd, the Iowa Supreme Court struck down the part of Iowa's marriage law which defined marriage as being between one man and one woman. Following the announcement of the decision, the Iowa bishops spoke out again in favor of an amendment to Iowa's constitution which would define marriage in the traditional way. We lobbied many legislators, particularly in the Iowa House, in the expectation of the chamber taking a vote on such an amendment. Many individual Catholics did the same. However, majority legislative leadership was clear in their support of the Supreme Court's decision and never allowed a vote in either the Senate or House. The state began issuing marriage licenses to all couples last week.
Labels: Iowa Gay Marriage Abomination
posted by Al @ 1:39 AM
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