PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION VICTORY . . .The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban, H.R. 929, introduced by Rep. Canady (R-FL) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on 3/20/97 by a vote of 295-136. This vote is enough to override the expected veto by President Clinton. The House also rejected by a vote of 282-149, language that would have provided an exception to the ban in cases of "serious health" risk to the mother. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that "health" of the mother should be defined as any emotional, physical, psychological or age-related problem that the mother might claim. Such a "health" exception renders the bill meaningless, opening the door for the procedure to be used for any reason. HOW YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS VOTED: 1) Kansas Delegation voted YES on H.R. 929. 2) In Missouri -- Clay voted NO: Talent YES; Gephardt YES; Skelton YES; McCarthy NO; Danner YES; Blunt YES; Emerson YES; and Hulshof YES. ABORTION BAN IN THE SENATE . . .Senator Santorum (R-PA) has introduced the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban, S. 6, in the Senate. A date has not been set for the Senate to debate and vote on this issue. In the 104th Congress, although the House was able to override President Clinton's veto of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban (H.R. 1833), the Senate was not able to come up with the number of votes (2/3rds) needed to override the Presidential veto. Following the House vote on H.R. 929, Congresswoman Pat Danner (D-MO) indicated she was pleased with the House vote, but noted that "a strong vote in the Senate on banning the procedure will be essential if Congress hopes to override another Presidential veto." [News Release, Congresswoman Pat Danner, 3/20/97]PRISONERS TO BE EXCLUDED . . .Sen. Harry Reid (R-NV) has introduced a bill to exclude prisoners from the protection of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). RFRA offers prisoners legitimate legal protection so that their rights to religious freedom will not be denied without justification. If prisoners are excluded from the protections of RFRA, ministries like Prison Fellowship would only be allowed to bring the good news of Christ to prisoners at the whim of prison officials. According to Robert Dugan, National Association of Evangelicals, "prisoners have made wrong moral choices. Unless the light of the Gospel penetrates prison darkness, many who are released will be back. Prisoners, or anyone else, should not be excluded from RFRA. Freedom is indivisible." [Robert P. Dugan, Editor, Insight, Vol XIX, No. 3, 3/97]HAWAII NEEDS YOUR HELP . . .According to Mike Gabbard, Chairman, Alliance for Traditional Marriage-Hawaii, " ... Hawaii state senators are having a difficult time making up their minds on whether or not they should preserve traditional marriage. So, let's apply some pressure from the mainland! It's time for you to contact the four senators on the Judiciary Committee listed below who are indeed holding America hostage on this issue."ACTION TO TAKE: Mr. Gabbard is asking each of us to "phone/fax/e-mail/mail a brief note to the conferees below and urge them to support a constitutional amendment that clearly defines marriage as the legal union between a man and a woman. Tell them to please support the original House version of the bill, which is free and clear of any domestic partnership language. Be polite, but let them know you, your family and friends will be vacationing elsewhere if Hawaii legalizes 'gay marriage'. Thank you for your help. Please keep us in your prayers." Please take the time to express your own feelings on this issue, in your own words. Spread this message to your family, friends, church groups,etc. (%State Capitol,Honolulu,HI 96813) 1) Sen. Matt Matsunaga, Rm 226. (808) 586-7100. Fax: 586-7109. E-mail: matsunaga@pixi.com 2) Sen Avery Chumbley, Rm 228. (808) 586-6030. Fax: 586-6031. E-mail: abc@aloha.net 3) Sen Wayne Metcalf, Rm 222. (808) 586-6900. Fax: 586-6869. E-mail: senmetcal@capitol.hawaii.gov 4) Sen Mike McCartney, Rm 230. 586-6910. Fax: 586-6909. E-mail:senmccartney@capitol.hawaii.gov. [E-mail Alert, "Aloha! THE FINAL PUSH!" Mike Gabbard, Alliance for Traditional Marriagewaii -Hawaii, 3/20/97] FLEX-TIME PASSED BY HOUSE . . .The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly (222-210) passed H.R. 1, The Working Families Flexibility Act. The companion bill in the Senate, introduced by Sen. Ashcroft (R-MO), The Family Friendly Workplace Act, recently won support in the Senate Labor Committee by a 10-8 vote. Both bills give workers the option of either taking overtime pay or taking compensatory time off for work beyond 40 hours, thus allowing employees the flexibility to schedule their work around their families. This type of family-friendly flexibility has been available to federal workers since the 1970's. Under these bills, employers and employees are given the option about whether to use flex-time and also the option of what to do with their time off. President Clinton does not support the concept of flex-time, but as an alternative, he supports the extension of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Opponents say Clinton's plan is flawed because under FMLA, the "leave" time is taken without pay, and the reasons for taking "leave" are restricted by the government. According to Jerry Heaster, "...expanding worker self-determination in 1997 wouldn't risk losing the gains achieved by the labor movement since the days of the New Deal. Rather, it would only enhance them." [Jerry Heaster, "Workers deserve more flex", Kansas City Star, 3/21/97 and Family Research Council's Legislative Hotline, 3/21/97]KEVORKIAN CAN BE PROSECUTED . . .On 1/3/97, U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen ruled that there is no right to assisted suicide guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and that Michigan authorities can, indeed prosecute Jack Kevorkian. Rosen further denied Kevorkian's request for an injunction barring future prosecutions in Oakland County. [International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force Update, Jan-Feb 97, p 8] |