SBA List Radio Ad Blasts Driehaus Attempt to Silence Critics on Pro-Abortion Health Care Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, the Susan B. Anthony List launched a $50,000 radio ad campaign airing across Rep. Steve Driehaus’ district (OH-01) highlighting his vote for the health care bill which allows for taxpayer funding of abortion.  Driehaus has attempted to silence the free speech of the Susan B. Anthony List by filing a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission, citing a criminal statute. 

“Rep. Steve Driehaus’ heavy-handed attempt to silence critics of his vote for taxpayer funding of abortion will not work,” said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser.  “Our radio ads are spreading the truth about his pro-abortion health care vote to the people of his district, despite his efforts to stifle our constitutionally-protected free speech.”

“Ironically, ours is the position that so-called ‘pro-life’ Democrats themselves held before they changed their minds.  It is also the position held by the National Right to Life Committee, Americans United for Life, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Ohio Right to Life and numerous other organizations and policy experts.  We all agree—the Executive Order failed to protect taxpayers adequately and didn’t even attempt to address the Senate bill’s funding mechanism which the Stupak Democrats said was unacceptable,” Dannenfelser said.

“Through this criminal statute, he’s even threatening me with jail time.  But we will not be silenced or intimidated.  In fact, we’re emboldened to make certain that his constituents know the truth about his vote,” Dannenfelser added.

The 60-second radio spot will air on stations in the Cincinnati and Hamilton areas for two weeks.  The ad’s script reads:

I’m Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life organization.

Congressman Steve Driehaus is threatening my organization with a criminal statute in a desperate attempt to silence us.

 Steve Driehaus doesn’t want you to know the truth…

…but you deserve to hear it.

 Steve Driehaus voted for taxpayer funding of abortion when he cast his vote for the health care reform bill.

Every major pro-life group in the country agrees that the health care reform bill allows for taxpayer funding of abortion , including National Right to Life, Americans United for Life, Ohio Right to Life, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

We will not be silenced or intimated.

Driehaus voted for taxpayer funding of abortion

And that vote has consequences.

Paid for by the Susan B. Anthony List, which is responsible for the content of this advertisement. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. sbalist.org.

 

Rep. Steve Driehaus filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission on Tuesday, October 6th alleging that the Susan B. Anthony List is falsely accusing him of voting for taxpayer funding of abortion as a result of his vote in support of health care legislation.  The complaint was spurred by the Susan B. Anthony List’s intention to put up four billboards across his Congressional district.  Rep. Driehaus’ attorney convinced Lamar Companies to not to put up the billboards in order to avoid being added to the complaint, stifling the free speech of the Susan B. Anthony List.

A full hearing before the Ohio Elections Commission has been set for October 28th.  A federal judge is considering a temporary restraining order against Rep. Driehaus and the Ohio Elections Commission and is expected to make a ruling on Wednesday.

The Susan B. Anthony List plans to spend $6 million on voter education in the midterm elections, including $3 million on key Senate and House races.  The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of over 280,000 Americans, 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.  

 

For further information, please contact Kerry Brown at (703) 470-1926 or [email protected].  

 

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