FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              CONTACT: John Donnelly
January 22,2010                                                                                      (317) 848-0201

 

Burton Statement On The 37th Anniversary Of The Tragic Roe v. Wade Decision

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN-05) issued the following statement today, marking the 37th Anniversary of the United States Supreme Court's tragic Roe v. Wade decision:

 

"Since Roe v. Wade became law 37 years ago, 50 million innocent human babies have been killed in abortion procedures.  Every year on this day, the tragic loss of human life is marked by millions of Americans who stand, pray, and march together in peaceful demonstrations against the practice of abortion.

 

"I stand with the passionate majority of Americans who still believe in the sanctity and the dignity of human life, born and unborn.  The courageous men and women who founded this nation thought life to be so important, that, of the three 'unalienable Rights' cited at the beginning of our Declaration of Independence, they chose to list 'life' first, followed by 'liberty' and 'the pursuit of happiness.'

 

"Yet, 234 years later, we find our laws twisted and tied to the extent that we provide for, and protect the practice of, abortion.  Over the last year, President Obama has disrespected the moral values of Americans and supported or enacted policies that would commit taxpayer dollars to funding abortions both at home and abroad.  Just days after he took office, President Obama overturned the Mexico City policy so that American tax dollars could be sent to international agencies that use abortion as a method of 'family planning.'  Now the President and Democrat Majority in Congress seek to impose a government-run health care program on America, where every American will be forced to fund health insurance programs that provide coverage for abortions.

 

"These policies that discard the lives of the innocent are appalling, and they defy the will of the People.  As long as I'm a public servant, I will remain vehemently opposed to policies and programs that fund and facilitate abortions.  I offer my enthusiastic support to those who march for life today, and I stand with them in working toward an America that keeps and protects its promise of life."

 

(PRNewswire) Majority of Americans, and Nearly 6 in 10 Young Adults, View Abortion as Morally Wrong

 

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Congressman Burton has always been a vocal fighter for the lives of the unborn.  In the battle over health care, he has helped lead the charge against the federal funding of abortion.  In continuing that fight, Congressman Burton has signed onto the following letter urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi to prohibit the Federal funding of abortion.  He has asked her to acknowledge the overwhelming bitartisan support in the House and across the nation for such a messure in her negotiations with Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid over the version of the health care bill that was passed out of the Senate.

 

***********************************************************

 

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Speaker

 

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

 

We are writing to follow up on the December 2, 2009 letter that 40 of our House colleagues sent you regarding a prohibition on government funding of abortion in the final version of the pending health care legislation.  Since you received that letter, the Senate passed a health care bill (H.R. 3590) that would require federal funds to subsidize elective abortions.  This policy differs significantly from the Stupak/Pitts Amendment contained in the House-passed health care bill (H.R. 3962), which would maintain the current policy of preventing federal funding for abortion and for health benefit packages that include abortion.  As you know, 64 Democrats voted in favor of the Stupak/Pitts Amendment, which passed the House by a wide, bipartisan margin of 240-194.

 

A significant majority of Americans – both those that identify themselves as pro-life and pro-choice – are opposed to the government funding of abortions.  Although you did not personally vote for the Stupak/Pitts Amendment to H.R. 3962, we request that you respect the significant bipartisan margin by which this amendment was adopted in our chamber and insist that the exact language of the Stupak/Pitts Amendment be included in the final version of health care legislation.  

 

Please respond to this letter to inform us of your intentions in negotiations with Senate Majority Leader Reid regarding the final version of health care legislation with respect to the Stupak/Pitts Amendment.  Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.  We look forward to your response.

 

Sincerely,

 

Greg Walden                                                                            Jerry Moran

Member of Congress                                                                Member of Congress