The following comes from a Jan. 4 story on the website of the Catholic News Agency.
In the first day of the new congressional session, the House of Representatives passed a spending bill that includes a provision to repeal a pro-life policy. The bill was one of two appropriations bills passed on Thursday in an attempt to end the partial government shutdown.
The bill, which would resume funding for the federal government, includes language that would repeal the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy, which prevents non-governmental organizations from receiving U.S. health assistance funds if they either promote or provide abortions.
Pro-life congressmen and campaigners spoke out against the rider which would overturn the policy.
In a floor speech, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) criticized newly-elected Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for its inclusion in the bill, saying it would “eviscerate” the pro-life protection.
“Madam Speaker, if reopening the government is the goal, if ending the shutdown is the goal, why does this appropriations package contain a brand-new poison pill rider, Section 71, that overturns a major, comprehensive, current-day pro-life policy?” asked Smith.
Smith also accused Pelosi of inconsistency, noting that earlier in the day she had “admonished [the House] to protect God’s creation.”
“These unborn children are God’s creation. They cry out for our protection,” Smith stated.
God bless and protect you Rep. Christ Smith, you are truly one of the really pro life politicians. Many of the others hand out goodies with poison in them. One does not help the poor by killing their children.
On the other hand, I should add that people should not deliberately have children out of wedlock as is being done now. That is not fair to the children. They need a married mother and father who really care for each other and their children for the best kind of stability.
At this point, it’s indefensible to vote Democrat.
Where is the USCCB statement on this bill? They might get some credibility back if they stood up against abortion.
The Senate will (hopefully) block all of Pelosi’s efforts.
Expecting the Catholic bishops to buck Pelosi would be like hoping for a miracle.
We’ll just hope and pray that righteousness would prevail.