John Boehner (R-OH), an opponent to women's reproductive rights, was sworn in as the House Speaker yesterday. Boehner has made campaign promises to be the most "pro-life speaker in history."
Anti-abortion rights groups, including Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life (AUL), announced plans to pressure Congress to pass the No Tax Payer Funding for Abortion Act, sponsored by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL), and the Title X Abortion Provider Act, introduced by Representative Mike Pence (R-IN).
The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act would prohibit taxpayer funding of abortions and would ensure that healthcare reform law does not cover the cost of abortions. The Title X Abortion Provider Act would prevent tax dollars from being sent to abortion providers receiving Title X family-planning grants. AUL has drafted 38 additional model anti-abortion bills.
Nancy Keenan, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America spoke out against Boehner's anti-abortion agenda, "Boehner and other like-minded politicians campaigned on limiting the role of government in our lives, yet their actions prove otherwise. They want to shrink government to be just small enough to fit inside our bedrooms and our medicine cabinets."
Media Resources: The Hill 1/5/11; NARAL Press Release 1/5/11
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