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07-12-1991
SPOTLIGHT STORY - SENATE: TAKES FIRST STEP ON HOLDING RUST FUNDING
Following House action taken on a similar measure, the
Senate Appropriations committee yesterday voted "to allow
federally funded clinics to continue to provide abortion
counseling, increasing the likelihood of a showdown between
Congress and President Bush." Senate Appropriations Chair pro-
choice U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) "defended" the bill's language
saying that "women who turn to Title X family planning clinics"
ought to be able to "obtain full information about their legal
rights and medical options. ... We can't shirk our
responsibility." Harkin also "inserted language that would
permit use of Medicaid funds for abortions in the case of rape
and incest." The Bush Administration has warned it will veto the
HHS spending bill if it contains "language overriding the ban on
abortion counseling" (Eric Pianin, WASH. POST, 7/12). However,
reports from the White House suggest that Bush may be willing to
consider a compromise, even though he remains strong on his
"fundamental position" on the abortion counseling issue. Bush:
"If some compromise can be worked out that I find acceptable,
absolutely ... I haven't found such a compromise yet." Budget
Director Richard Darman in a letter to pro-life Minority Leader
U.S. Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS) wrote, "[The president's] intention is
to assure that no federal funds are used to support abortion. He
is not in any respect seeking to impose a so called 'gag rule.'
The President ... remains committed to the protection of free
speech." In addition to the appropriations proposal, "a free
standing bill [sponsored by Sen. Chafee (R-RI)] overturning the
rules is being readied for Senate floor debate next week.
Republican proponents have warned the administration that it
risks losing in a final veto confrontation" (David Rogers, W.S.
JOURNAL, 7/12).
FORMING COALITIONS/REAX: A new coalition of pro-life
organizations "kicks off [a] national advertising campaign to
support President Bush's Title X family planning regulations."
Coalition release excerpt: "The advertising campaign will
include print and radio spots which provide a fresh perspective
on the Title X issue." The coalition includes: NRLC, United
States Catholic Conference, Feminists for Life, Americans United
for Life, Knights of Columbus, Eagle Forum, American Victims of
Abortion, Concerned Women of America and the Family Research
Council (release, 7/12).
FROM THE PRO-CHOICE SIDE: A release from "The Emergency
Campaign To Overturn The Gag Rule" reported yesterday they will
host "prominent and distinguished leaders from virtually ever
sector of society [to] ... kick off an unprecedented event and
congressional lobby day to overturn the 'gag rule'" on 7/18 in
DC. Release excerpt: "Organized by the National Pro-Choice
Coalition, Direct Action Day will feature leaders in various
professions to demonstrate the power, breadth and depth of
support for overturning the 'gag rule.'" The group of celebrity
activists includes: actor Peter Horton, '84 VP nominee Geraldine
Ferraro, CA Assmeblywoman Tricia Hunter (R), actress Ally Sheedy,
Saturday Night Live Writer Ann Beattes, "Thelma and Louise"
screenwriter Calli Khouri and Black Women's Agenda's Ruth Sykes.
"To date, some 235 national, state and local organizations have
endorsed the campaign to overturn the 'gag rule'" (Release,
7/11). NARAL's Kate Michelman: "The Senate Appropriations
Committee has taken another step today toward ensuring that
Americans receive unbiased and uncensored medical care and are
able to fully exercise their right to privacy. ... We urge
members of the full Senate to join their House colleagues to vote
to overturn these dangerous and harmful restrictions" (Release,
7/11).
The Abortion Report
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