|
|
|
|
Just Eight Days Until
NRLC's State Legislative Strategy Conference
Part One of Three By Dave Andrusko Editor's note. Part Two explores the mind of apologists for "late-term" abortions. Part Three is the latest on the "birth or not" controversy. Over at National Right to Life News Today (www.nationalrighttolifenews.org), Congressman Chris Smith honors the memory of the late Dr. Mildred Jefferson. In addition we talk about an "assisted dying" commission in Great Britain and what Planned Parenthood's tax forms tell us. Please send your comments on Today's News & Views and National Right to Life News Today todaveandrusko@gmail.com. If you like, join those who are following me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/daveha.
It would be difficult to exaggerate the enthusiasm surrounding NRLC's upcoming December 7 State Legislative Strategy Conference which will bring state right-to-life leaders and key state legislators to the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Within hours of the tremendous, indeed historic, pro-life gains made in state legislatures around the country, NRLC's State Legislative Department was busy laying the groundwork for a conference that would take full advantage of a hugely improved legislative landscape. "As a result of the November 2 elections, there's been a substantial increase in the number of states where pro-life legislation stands a realistic chance of enactment," said Mary Spaulding Balch, J.D., NRLC Director of State Legislation. The focus, but by no means exclusive emphasis, of the conference will be how to replicate Nebraska's LB 1103--a first-in-the nation measure known as the "Pain-Capable Unborn Children Protection Act." LB 1103 prevents abortions beginning at a point twenty weeks after fertilization. The Nebraska law took effect October 15, 2010. Contrary to pro-abortion talking points reproduced in many media accounts, there is substantial medical evidence that clearly indicates unborn children feel pain beginning at this juncture, if not earlier [see www.doctorsonfetalpain.org]. A local Nebraska television station did a lengthy piece on the Pain-Capable Unborn Children Protection Act which prominently featured Julie Schmit-Albin, executive director of Nebraska RTL, and Mary Spaulding Balch (www.1011now.com/home/headlines/Nebraskas_New_Abortion_Law_Focus_of_National_Conference_110951249.html). Julie Schmit-Albin told the reporter that Nebraska RTL was blessed in that David Heinemen, the governor, Jon Bruning, the attorney general, and Mike Flood, Speaker of the Unicameral Legislature, are all pro-life. "Really, having speaker Mike Flood lead the bill was the key because as an attorney, he knew that he had to lay down a meticulous record in floor debate and in our committee hearing, and he did," said Schmit-Albin, who, along with Balch, was instrumental in the bill's passage. Flood had the bill drafted based on language submitted by NRLC's department of state legislation. Balch explained that the goal of the conference is to share information and effective strategies that will assist NRLC's 50 state affiliates to pass protective legislation. With respect specifically to the Pain-Capable Unborn Children Protection Act , Balch said, "We will be suggesting to our affiliates that they use the language that was actually passed in Nebraska," adding, "We think the language is very strong and we think it can be protected if it's challenged in court." Every state is different, which means that the Strategy Conference will talk about a range of protective measures, including bills to ensure that women contemplating abortion can see ultrasounds of their unborn children, bills to "opt out" of abortion coverage in state insurance exchanges mandated by the new Obama Health Care Law, and bills to protect the right of patients not to be denied lifesaving medical treatment, food, and fluids against their will. But there is a reason pro-abortionists are so unnerved by the Pain-Capable Unborn Children Protection Act--the same reason pro-life advocates are so encouraged. "We believe most Americans agree in rejecting abortions that cause excruciating pain to the unborn child," Balch said. "Given half a chance we believe we can look forward to protective laws being given serious consideration in a significant number of states." |
