from the Hill:
Congressional Democrats led by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) have scheduled hearings on stem cell research in response to a ruling Monday that bars the federal government from funding it.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Harkin announced Tuesday that the hearings will be held Sept. 16, when the Senate returns from recess.
"Embryonic stem cell research offers hope to millions of Americans who are suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases," he said.
Harkin has called for the ruling's repeal. He is chairman of both the Senate Health Committee and of the Appropriations subcommittee that sponsors stem cell research.
Catholic pro-abortion rights Senator Barbara Mikulski is aiding Emily's List in raising money to help elect pro-abortion rights candidates. Emily's List has been a supporter of Mikulski's having donated to her campaigns over $120,000 since 1989. This only accounts for what has been given directly to the Senator and not any funding the group has spent in trying to influence any of her re-election bids by directly attacking her opponents. According to the National Right to Life Mikulski has voted against their pro-life advocated position on legislation 53 times and voted just once in support of a pro-life position.
From the Hill:
In a fundraising e-mail penned for the political action committee EMILY’s List, Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) warns that Republicans are “raising money at an alarming rate” for this fall’s elections.
The e-mail is part of the group’s push to get donations in the door before the end of the month to meet its July fundraising goal.
“The GOP is targeting seats across the nation, leaving nothing off the table,” Mikulski wrote in the e-mail to EMILY’s List supporters. “They’re raising money at an alarming rate. They have more than $200 million pledged from right-wing groups who would profit from Republican wins.”
EMILY’s List has propped up several Democratic House challengers this cycle, lending fundraising help to Julie Lassa, who is running to succeed retiring Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.), and Tarryl Clark, who is challenging Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.).
Both Pelosi and DeLauro are long-time abortion rights advocates.
Speaker Pelosi has voted rejecting the pro-life position on legislation 83 times and voted in favor only once. Rep DeLauro have voted 89 times rejecting the pro-life position and only once in support of it.
Reported by LifeSiteNews
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a self-professed devout Catholic, will receive an award from abortion giant Planned Parenthood at a reception Thursday evening. The award will be given in recognition of her efforts in passing the federal health care legislation, and in particular for her help in ensuring that the Stupak abortion funding ban was not inserted in the bill.
A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood confirmed with LifeSiteNews.com that Pelosi would be receiving the Champion for Women's Health award, which recognizes "efforts to support women and their reproductive health."
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) will also receive the award.
In a statement, PP lauds Pelosi for having been “instrumental” in the passage of the federal health care bill, which was strenuously opposed by every major pro-life organization in the U.S., as well as the U.S. Catholic bishops, because of its abortion mandate. The statment also praises Pelosi for having "led her female colleagues in Congress as they stood strong against attempts to insert the Stupak abortion ban into the bill."
“With their steadfast commitment to passing health care reform and making sure that women will be able to get the health care they need, the women leaders we honor today set the course to change the lives of millions of women for generations to come,” said PP President Cecile Richards.
Apparently Rep. Kennedy was undeterrred after the reprimand he received from his local Ordinary, Providence Bishop Thomas J. Tobin for his public crticism of the Church in its effort to prohibit the federal funding of abortion during the healthcare reform debate. The Catholic Advocate reports that Rep. Kennedy is traveling to Kenya to lobby for the adoption of a pro-abortion rights constitution.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand rallied with pro-choice advocates Monday to rail against abortion restrictions in the House health care reform plan - but she refused to say if the issue is a deal breaker for her.
The Senate is working on its own proposal. "I certainly don't support the Stupak amendment, and my goal right now is to fight the battle to make sure it's not included" in a final plan, she said.
But she refused to say if eliminating the provision was a must for winning her vote on an overall reform package. "When we have a final bill, I'll let you know how I'll vote on it," she said.
Maine Gov. John Baldacci
Oct 27, 2009 - Baldacci said Tuesday that he once preferred civil unions to gay marriage but came to believe a civil union is not equal to civil marriage. He signed the gay marriage bill into law last May.
In one week, Maine voters will cast ballots to decide whether to repeal the state's gay marriage law, which was passed by the Legislature earlier this year. AP
Maine Catholic Bishops encourage Catholic citizens to vote "YES" on Question 1 on November 3 to restore Maine’s long-standing statute defining marriage as being the union of one man and one woman.
New York Gov. David Paterson
Oct 21,2009 -
New York Gov. David Paterson says he expects to sign a same-sex marriage bill into law in the coming weeks.
Paterson says he expects the state Senate to give the measure final legislative approval in the coming weeks and then he will sign it. That would make New York the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage.
"The governor has always said that same-sex marriage will be on the agenda," a spokeswoman said.
A source said gay marriage will be on the agenda to force the Senate to deal with it one way or the other.
Paterson's political team sees the issue as one way to start raising his historic low poll numbers. NYdaily
Paterson was sworn in as governor of New York on March 17, 2008, after Gov. Spitzer resigned. Gov. Paterson has not announced if he will run in 2010.
Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY)
This week the House Appropriations committee voted 26-33 against reinstating the Dornan amendment to the Financial Appropriations bill which budgets funding for the District of Columbia. The Tiahrt-Davis amendment was offered to reverse the Dornan amendment repeal by the subcommittee at President Obama's request. The Dornan amendment has prohibited the public funding of abortion for 18 years.
In an email to supporters, Nancy Keenan, President of abortion rights group NARAL, praised Catholic Congressman Jose Serrano (D-NY) for leading the effort to oppose the pro-life amendment, "We cleared an important hurdle, thanks to the leadership of subcommittee chairman Rep. Jose Serrano and our pro-choice allies on the House Appropriations Committee," Keenan said.
New York Gov. David Patterson
New York Gov. David Paterson introduces legislation this week to legalize same-sex marriage, reviving a bill that died in 2007 and still faces strong opposition despite a new Democratic majority in the state Senate.
Paterson, talking to reporters Tuesday in Hempstead, N.Y, said "there is clearly a problem" when gays and lesbians in civil unions are denied 1,200 to 1,350 civil protections such as health care and pension rights because they're not married.
"The timing was always right. It's just who is willing to take that step, and I am," Paterson said. "I think it is, as other states are showing, the only ethical way to treat people who want to live together in peace under the civil law. So my general feeling about all these issues is the right ethical decision will inevitably be the right political decision." Townhall
In a press conference Friday, she announced that she would support full marriage rights for gay couples. Gillibrand has accepted $500k from abortion rights groups - During her time in the House, she maintained a 100 percent pro-abortion voting record and also supported forcing taxpayers to fund embryonic stem cell research.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Jan 25:
Defends Obama Stimulus Plan to Pour Millions of Taxpayer Funds into Contraception, Abortion
Hundreds of millions of the nearly $1 trillion price tag on President Obama's economic stimulus bill is expected to go to contraception and the abortion industry.
George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week" asked Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a self-avowed Catholic: "Hundreds of millions of dollars to expand family planning services. How is that stimulus?"
Pelosi responded: "Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those - one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government."
Jan 18: Pelosi speaks at pro-abortion advocay group Emily's List Inaugural Luncheon
Emily's List spends millions of dollars each election cycle with the sole purpose of helping candidates get elected who will support unrestricted access to abortion. Speaking to a crowd of over 2,000 in reference to Obama's health care policies, Pelosi said, "Isn't it wonderful to have a president who will put women and children first?"
***
Favors legislation that will support federal funding of embryonic stem cell research
Speaker Pelosi again comes out publicly against a policy position in direct opposition to Church teaching. This time Pelosi wants Congress to pass a law undoing Bush restrictions on stem-cell research.
Political observers have said they expect President-elect Obama to undo Bush’s executive orders restricting stem cell research shortly after taking office, but Pelosi says she thinks enacting federal laws that would tie a president’s hands from issuing executive orders like those of President Bush is the better option.
"I myself would favor legislation, so it is the law," Pelosi was quoted as saying in a Jan. 4 International Herald Tribune story. read more CalCatholic
Previously...regarding HHS regulation protecting religious freedom of health care workers -
In a terse Dec. 18 statement, the House Speaker stated, “Congress will work with President-elect [Barack] Obama to reverse this rule.”
Speker Pelosi will work to overturn a new regulation that will protect healthcare workers from being forced to take actions that go against their conscience. The U.S. Bishops support these new federal regulations that protect an individuald religious freedom.
The new regulations will enforce existing federal law that requires taxpayer-funded medical institutions not to discriminate against medical personnel who conscientiously object to performing abortions or assisting "in the performance of any part of a health service program or research activity," including the distribution of abortifacient contraceptives.
CA AG Jerry Brown
Jerry Brown asks California Supreme Court to void gay-marriage ban
The state attorney general, who had earlier vowed to defend Prop. 8, offers a novel legal theory for why it should be overturned. The action surprises some legal experts.
Reporting from San Francisco and Los Angeles -- California Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown asked the state Supreme Court on Friday to invalidate the voter-approved ban on gay marriage, declaring that "the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification."
The issue before the court "presents a conflict between the constitutional power of the voters to amend the Constitution, on the one hand, and the Constitution's Declaration of Rights, on the other," Brown wrote.
The issue "is whether rights secured under the state Constitution's safeguard of liberty as an 'inalienable' right may intentionally be withdrawn from a class of persons by an initiative amendment."
read more LATimes
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
Objects to President Bush's Regulations to Protect Doctors’ Conscience Rights
Sens. Hillary Clinton (N.Y.) and Murray (Wash.) introduced legislationthat would simply prevent HHS from implementing the new rule.
Senator Murray has accepted over $1 Million from abortion advocacy groups
Update: Yesterday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled a regulation that will protect healthcare workers from being forced to take actions that go against their conscience. The US Bishops applauded the new regulation stating, “The enforcement of federal laws to protect their freedom of conscience is long overdue.”
The incoming Obama administration cannot simply cancel the regulation because, once it is published Friday, it will have the force of law on Jan. 18. Obama’s HHS could issue a new regulation to repeal or replace the Bush rule but that process typically takes at least six months.(Hill)
Senator Murray and pro-abortion right friends Senator Hillary Clinton previously introduced legislation to halt the regulations, accusing President Bush of "again putting ideology first" in a "last-minute attempt to undermine women's health care.
The regulations will enforce existing federal law that requires taxpayer-funded medical institutions not to discriminate against medical personnel who conscientiously object to performing abortions or assisting "in the performance of any part of a health service program or research activity," including the distribution of abortifacient contraceptives. (LifeNews)
Schwarzenegger tells backers of gay marriage: Don't give up
The governor expresses hope that Proposition 8 would be overturned as protesters continued to march outside churches across California.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday expressed hope that the California Supreme Court would overturn Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that outlawed same-sex marriage. He also predicted that the 18,000 gay and lesbian couples who have already wed would not see their marriages nullified by the initiative.
"It's unfortunate, obviously, but it's not the end," Schwarzenegger said in an interview Sunday on CNN. "I think that we will again maybe undo that, if the court is willing to do that, and then move forward from there and again lead in that area." read more LATimes
Catholic Mighican Gov. Says Embryonic Stem Cell Research is "Pro-life"
Bishop immediately condemns statement
Catholic Governor Jennifer Granholm urged Michigan Democrats on Sunday to support Proposal 2, a ballot measure that would allow embryonic stem cell (ESC) researchers to destroy human embryos, and asserted that such a measure is in accord with the Catholic Church's pro-life teaching.
"As a Catholic, I can say to be pro-cure is to be pro-life," she said.
The governor issued the remark at a Grand Rapids Obama rally, part of a tour across the western half of the state.
Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing immediately criticized Granholm's statement for radically misrepresenting her Catholic faith. "Of course, Catholics and all other responsible citizens will continue to seek cures for disease and injury," said the bishop. "But to imply that Proposal 2 is a valid expression of Catholic principles is shocking. Nothing could be further from the truth." LifeSite
Colorado Gov. Ritter Will Oppose Ballot Vote on Abortion-Personhood Measure
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter announced on Tuesday that he will oppose the measure that will appear on the November ballot defining unborn children as persons under law. The measure could set off a debate over abortion and lead to banning abortions and other practices that destroy human life before birth.
Ritter says he opposes Amendment 48 and called it "bad policy, bad medicine and bad law."
The governor claims he is personally opposed to abortion but has upset pro-life advocates in the state by pushing for taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion business. read more LifeNews
Governor Ted Kulongoski
(D-OR)
Archbishop of Portland rebukes Catholic Oregon governor for hosting NARAL fundraiser
"For a Catholic governor to host an event of this sort seems a deliberate dissent from the teachings of the church" - Bishop Vlanzy
The Archbishop of Portland, Oregon John G. Vlazny is lamenting the fact that Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has become “a source of embarrassment for our church and a scandal for the Catholic community” by hosting of a “political gala” for NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon this coming Friday.
Labeling the Catholic governor’s appearance a seeming “deliberate dissent” from the teachings of the Church, Archbishop Vlazny is calling upon Catholics to contact the governor and extending them an invitation to an upcoming Respect Life Mass. read more CNA
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
In an attempt to soften Senator Obama's "above my pay grade" response in regards to when life begins, Speaker Pelosi misrepresents the teachings of the Church on abortion speaking on "Meet the Press."
Six bishops have since taken it on themselves to give her history and doctrine lesson.
Statement by Cardinal Egan Archbishop of New York : "In simplest terms, they are human beings with an inalienable right to live, a right that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons" and people who think to the contrary "should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name."
Read: PELOSI MISFIRES AGAIN AT CATHOLIC CHURCH
NARAL backs Kerry in Senate race
Catholic Senator John Kerry has staunchly supported abortion rights throughout his political career. His voting record has consistently received a 100 percent from NARAL.
NARAL Pro-Choice America, the women's advocacy group dedicated to fighting for abortion rights, endorsed U.S. Sen. Sen. John Kerry (D-Boston)John Kerry's (D-Boston) reelection campaign Tuesday, bolstering the senator's abortion rights credentials.
"Sen. Kerry is a visible and effective advocate for a woman's right to choose," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL. "His leadership is critical in such a closely divided Senate where choice-related votes are often won or lost by one vote." read more
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius
According to LifeNews.com:
"Very rarely does a sitting governor oppose fellow party members running for an election, but pro-abortion Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is doing just that. The potential Barack Obama running mate is attacking a pro-life Democrat and supporting his primary opponent because she disagrees with his abortion stance.
Sebelius teamed up with Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley in a letter earlier this month endorsing the primary opponent challenging sitting state Sen. Mark Gilstrap, a pro-life Democrat.
... Mary Kay Culp, the head of Kansas for Life, told LifeNews.com that Sebelius is targeting pro-life advocates in the legislature because they have tried to hold her accountable for abuses in the abortion industry."
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom
Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco, who initiated the legal battle that resulted in the state’s decision to strike down its marriage laws, presided over the ceremony of a lesbian couple to champion what he sees as a victory for the cause of equality.
Newsom, who describes himself as a Catholic, credits his activism to the "Catholic formation" he received at the Jesuit-run Santa Clara University in Northern California. CNA
CA Attorney General Jerry Brown
Attorney General Jerry Brown urged the California Supreme Court to finalize its ruling on legalizing gay marriage immediately.
KS Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS)
Governor Sebelius vetoed an abortion measure when it came to her desk, saying in her veto message, “For years, the people of Kansas have asked their elected officials to move beyond legislative debates on issues like abortion.” An attempt to override the veto failed in the state Senate by two votes.
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Pro-Abortion Catholic Sen. Maria Cantwell endoses Hillary Clinton for president. Catholic Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) earlier endorsed her.
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Senator Mikulski has accepted over $64,000 from Emily's List. She campaigned for Hillary Clinton in Iowa this weekend. Senator Mikulski said "As President, she (Hillary) will protect a woman's right to choose..."
Governor Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Governor Tim Kaine has chosen to eliminate $275,000 of funding for abstinence education programs in Virginia's public schools. Planned Parenthood of Virginia praised Kaine for his decision. read more
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)
Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich has stated that abortion should always be legal and Supreme Court nominees must agree to uphold Roe v. Wade. He voted against the Parental Notification bill and in favor of expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. Kucinich supports gay marriage.
Governor Arnold Schwarznegger (R-CA)
Governor Schwarznegger signed 4 anti-family bills on Friday. Governor Blasted for Signing 'Sexual Indoctrination' Bills. read more
Senator Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA)
Campaigned as Pro-Life in 2006, the Senator voted last week to fund abortions overseas. read article He’s Not His Father’s Pro-life Democrat
Gov Arnold Schwarznegger(R-CA)
He is asking for a new state Republican platform that removes any mention of abortion.
Attorney General Jerry Brown (CA)
Has stated that the terms “marry” and “marriage” have no significance in the state’s constitution and can therefore be changed.
Granholm wants to lift Michigan's restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. She had a link on her state Web site that encouraged citizens to sign a petition asking the state Legislature to pass bills that would lift restrictions on such research. The Governor removed the petition after a lawsuit brought against her by the Thomas More Law center was filed.
Michigan Governor Removes Stem Cell Research Petition From Website After Thomas More Law Center Lawsuit
Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT)
"There are people who have used religion and the Eucharist as a political weapon, and we as (pro-abortion) Catholics have to speak out to define ourselves."
Presidential Candidate Gov. Bill Richardson (NM)
Democrat Bill Richardson says that if he's elected president, he would reject any Supreme Court nominees who believe Roe versus Wade should be overturned.
Massachusetts Speaker Salvatore DiMassi
A Knights of Columbus member, Speaker DiMassi pressured lawmakers to vote against placing the Marriage Amendment on the 2008 ballot
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
"Science is a gift of God to all of us, and science has taken us to a place that is biblical in its power to cure... And that is embryonic stem cell research"
Bishop on Nancy Pelosi: It's "Categorically Impossible" to be Catholic and Hold Abortion is "Just a Choice" "It is categorically impossible for the same person to state that he or she believes simultaneously both what the Catholic Church teaches and that abortion is just a choice," says Bishop Robert Vasa. 03/01/2007
California Gov Arnold Schwarznegger
Schwarzenegger: "I am a Catholic and a very dedicated Catholic, but" I support Research on Human Embryos
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius
Longtime defender of unrestricted abortion policy. Gov Sebelius vetoes an abortion reporting provision which passed in the house and senate.
Democrat Presidential Hopeful New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson
He stated, "I have resisted any effort to weaken a woman's right-to-choose". Richardson supports funding for embryonic stem cell research. New Mexico's Roman Catholic bishops have pressed Richardson to reconsider but he has not changed his stance.
2008 Presidential Candidate
Former Mayor Rudy Guiliani
While Mayor supported government funding of abortion, opposed a ban on the partial-birth abortion procedure and objected to parental notification before a minor could get an abortion.
State Legislator Patty Berg (CA)
Authored assisted suicide bill that passed in Judiciary Assembly Committee on its way to legalizing Euthanasia
Governor Bill Ritter (CO)
Governor Signs Bill Mandating Catholic Hospitals Give Information on Abortion Drug
Campaigned in 2006 as a pro-life candidate.
"Not So Catholic" Politicians
