Asked to respond to the claim that previous support for the Stupak Amendment showed a belief that the health care legislation allowed abortion, Day answered:
“The fact that we wanted to make the bill stronger, does not logically imply that the bill allowed taxpayer funded abortions.”
She was also critical of backing Republicans to replace pro-life Democrats.
“The pro-life organizations that are working in concert with the Republican Party strategy to defeat all Democrats are seizing on the public's general lack of knowledge and uncertainty about the health care insurance reform bill,” she commented. “Targeting strong pro-life advocates who are willing to stand up to their own leadership to protect the sanctity of life is mistake. The pro-life movement is now moving toward fully embracing a one-party strategy.”
The SBA List is financially backing one Democratic congressman, Rep. Dan Lipinski of Illinois, who voted against the health care bill in part because of concerns about its restrictions on abortion funding. It has targeted 42 Democratic House candidates for defeat.
Dannenfelser told CNA that the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio had joined the fight against the law which had barred the billboards, arguing that the law is “vague,” missing important provisions, and in violation of the First Amendment.
Opponents of the law are aiming for a legal victory which will have a “ripple effect” in districts where the same argument is continuing.
“It’s one of those things where a backroom deal could completely wipe out an organization,” she commented. In her view, the charges against the SBA List could lead to a costly and “highly invasive” legal discovery process in which every paper an organization has generated must be produced, including private strategy papers.
Don Clemmer, assistant director of media relations at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), responded to a CNA inquiry about the conference's view of abortion funding in the health care bill, which Dannenfelser had cited in support.
He referred to Cardinal Daniel DiNardo’s Aug. 20 letter to U.S. Representatives encouraging legislation to make permanent federal restrictions on abortion funding. There, the cardinal wrote that the PPACA funds health plans that cover abortions and force citizens enrolled in many plans to fund others’ abortions through their health premiums.
Other possible abortion funding in the bill is dependent upon a decision by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, while still more funds could go to abortions in Community Health Centers if court precedent is upheld.
(Story continues below)
Subscribe to our daily newsletter