THIS IS AN URGENT CONGRESSIONAL ALERT FROM THE NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE COMMITTEE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate will conduct a do-or-die vote on one
of the most important pro-life bills ever to come before the Congress
— the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA) — as early
as Friday, September 29.
All pro-life groups and citizens must immediately TELEPHONE the
offices of their two U.S. senators to urge them to vote in “in favor
of cloture on the parental notification bill, S. 403.”
See also: Senate Could Vote on Key Parental Notification on Abortion Bill by Friday
WHAT JUST HAPPENED . . .
Earlier this evening (Wednesday, September 27), in a move that
apparently caught pro-abortion forces by surprise, pro-life Senate
Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tn.) filed a “cloture petition” on S.
403, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (also known as the
Child Custody Protection Act). This crucial legislation has been
blocked for months by the Senate Democratic leadership. Senator
Frist’s action opens the door to move this bill rapidly to President
Bush to be signed into law — but only if the pro-life side can muster
60 votes (out of 100 senators).
The bill, which was approved by the House of Representatives earlier
this week, is strongly supported by National Right to Life and other
pro-life groups. It would require any abortionist in any state to
notify a parent before performing an abortion on a minor from another
state (with certain exceptions). It also prohibits transporting
minors across state lines to obtain abortions, if this abridges the
parents’ right to be notified under the home-state law.
WE NEED 60 VOTES!
It will require 60 votes to pass this bill! If fewer than 60 senators
vote to advance the bill, it is dead for this year. If 60 or more
vote in favor of cloture, further amendments to the bill can be set
aside, and it can be sent directly to President Bush, who is eager to
sign it into law.
When the Senate gave initial approval to S. 403 in July, 65 senators
voted in favor of it, so this vote is winnable! That 65 included 51
Republicans and 14 Democrats. But the 14 Democrats (listed below)
will be under particularly strong pressures to switch their votes, and
so will a few Republicans who voted for the bill but who do not have
strong pro-life positions. ALL senators should be called and urged to
support sending S. 403 to President Bush!
Remember, on this occasion, an absence is the same as a pro-abortion
vote. if the vote is 59-0 in favor of the bill — the pro-life side
loses! The pro-life side must have 60 senators on the floor and
voting with Majority Leader Frist to send this bill to President Bush!
THE 14 DEMOCRATS WHO VOTED FOR S. 403 ON JULY 25, 2006
On the do-or-die cloture vote that will occur on S. 403, the key group
will be the 14 Democrats who voted for S. 403 on July 25. Their names
are listed below. If one of your senators is on this list, he is
among the small group that are more pivotal in determining whether
this crucial legislation becomes law, or dies. Urge these senators
to stick their earlier vote in favor of protecting vulnerable minors
and the rights of parents!
Pryor (Ar.)
Salazar (Co.)
Carper (De.)
Bill Nelson (Fl.)
Inouye (Hi.)
Bayh (In.)
Landrieu (La.)
Ben Nelson (Ne.)
Reid (Nv.)
Conrad (ND)
Dorgan (ND)
Johnson (SD)
Byrd (WV)
Kohl (Wi.)
HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL TALKING POINTS ON THIS ISSUE!
* Many young girls leave their home states in order to avoid
parental involvement in their abortion decisions, often under pressure
from older boyfriends or at the urging of abortion providers, and the
consequences are often tragic.
* Many abortion clinics in states without parental notification
laws purchase advertisements in neighboring states that have such
laws, enticing girls to cross state laws to avoid parental
involvement.
* This important legislation would do much to protect vulnerable
young girls and the rights of their parents. Parental notification
laws are supported by overwhelming majorities of the public — around
80% in many polls.