FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 28, 2009
CONTACT: Joy Yearout at (703) 380-6674 or jyearout@sba-list.org
U.S. Senate Backs President Obama’s
Abortion Bailout Agenda
SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser Comments on
Senate Defeat of Martinez Amendment to Reinstate Mexico City Policy
Washington, D.C. – Today the president of the Susan B. Anthony List commented the Senate’s defeat of an amendment sponsored by Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) to reinstate the pro-life Mexico City Policy:
“President Obama’s recent decision to roll back the commonsense Mexico City Policy was the first step toward instituting the radical abortion bailout agenda of extreme abortion groups,” said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “Planned Parenthood and their allies are looking to land their own portion of the taxpayer’s dime, and overturning the Mexico City Policy gives them millions of federal dollars to promote abortion overseas. Today Senator Martinez offered an amendment to respect the will of American taxpayers and reinstate the commonsense Mexico City Policy. I am disappointed by the U.S. Senate’s decision to vote the amendment down and back President Obama’s radical abortion bailout agenda. Americans are fortunate to have dedicated pro-life leaders in the Senate like Senator Martinez who are willing to promote real assistance for mothers abroad – aid that upholds the dignity of women and families, and doesn’t rely upon subsidizing abortions at every turn.”
Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) introduced an amendment to restore the Mexico City Policy to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill today. President Obama rescinded the Mexico City Policy last Friday, January 23, 2009, allowing U.S. international aid dollars to flow to nongovernmental organizations that perform or promote abortions abroad. The Martinez amendment failed by a vote of 37-60.
Through the Susan B. Anthony List Stop the Abortion Bailout! Campaign (www.stoptheabortionbailout.com), over 82,000 letters have been sent to the U.S. Senate advocating the preservation of federal abortion funding restrictions. The campaign’s goal is to secure the 41 votes necessary to sustain a filibuster against measures promoting federal taxpayer funding of abortion.
President Reagan first established the pro-life Mexico City Policy in 1984. Named for the city where it was announced, the policy declared that American tax dollars would not fund nongovernmental organizations involved in performing or promoting abortions abroad. President Bill Clinton rescinded the policy his first day in office. President G.W. Bush reinstated the policy as his first executive order on January 22, 2001.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 152,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
www.sba-list.org
### | 
