House votes to stop taxpayer-funded abortions

Those who have doubts about the power of prayer were surprised, or reassured, or both last week when the US House of Representatives passed a comprehensive ban on the use of taxpayer funds to pay for abortions.

Bill H.R.3, called the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,” was approved on May 4 by a vote of 251 to 176. Every Republican Congressperson [or whatever they're called now. Ed.] voted in favour, but Democrats voted against it, 175-16. Former speaker Nancy Pelosi, who claims to be a Catholic, argued against the bill, especially the "conscience clause".

If passed by the Sentate, the vote would make permanent the ban on public funding for abortion known as the “Hyde Amendment,” which now requires annual renewal. The bill would bar the use of federal funds to pay for abortions under the new national health-care plan. The legislation also includes the aforementioned “conscience clause,” preserving the right of health-care workers to refuse to be involved in abortions.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has welcomed the House passage of the act.

“By passing the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, the House has taken a decisive step toward protecting human life, reflecting the will of the American people,” said Deirdre McQuade, of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities.

“H.R. 3 also protects the civil rights of health care providers who conscientiously object to involvement in abortion,” she added. “The great majority of doctors, nurses and hospitals do not perform elective abortions. Catholic health care, the largest and highest quality nonprofit health care network in the country, rejects all direct abortions. To penalize these providers or push them out of the system would cause great harm to patients most in need.”

The act now moves to the Senate, where "analysts" expect that it will be defeated. But remember the power of prayer...and the power of popular protest. I would write to my Senator, if he could only read. If your Senator can read, send him/her a letter. Send a copy to the editor of your local newspaper. Make your voice heard by man as well as by God.