Tag Archives: Topic: Legislation

Washington Times: The overwhelming 327-98 vote sends the bill to the Senate where Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, has previously expressed support for an audit — though it’s unclear he’ll carve out time for the legislation this year.

NC Register: House amendment will prohibit the use of military facilities or funding for military chaplains to perform same-sex ‘marriages.’

NY Times: In a recent morning at the main public library here, dozens of people sat and stood at computers, searching job-hunting sites, playing games, watching music videos. And some looked at naked pictures of men and women in full view of passers-by.

WSJ: The Obama administration urged Congress to make it easier for people to discharge a portion of certain student debt by filing for bankruptcy protection. The recommendation, in a report by the Education Department and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, wouldn’t affect the vast majority of student debt, which is issued by the federal government. It would apply only to the roughly $150 billion, or 15% of total outstanding student debt, issued by private lenders such as SLM Corp.’s Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo & Co.

LifeNews: Leading pro-life groups are urging pro-life advocates today to do everything possible to secure a House vote for a bill, that passed in committee this week, to stop unlimited abortions in the nation’s capital.

NPR: It’s not just states where abortion is heating up as an issue this election year. Congress is getting back into the fray, too. On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee approved, on a party-line vote of 18-14, a bill that would ban abortions in the District of Columbia after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The Examiner: Put to a vote in the House of Representatives, the amendment passed 243-166, with 17 Democrats crossing the aisle and only five Republicans opposing. Rep. King argued that allowing same-sex marriages on military bases was a violation of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

LifeNews: A federal judge has dismissed another lawsuit filed against the Obama HHS mandate that forces religious groups to pay for or refer women for abortion-causing drugs and birth control. This comes after another federal judge tossed another lawsuit earlier this week.

Michael J. New at National Review: This week the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) released the results of a Polling Company survey which showed substantial public support for the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The bill would ban abortions in Washington, D.C. after 22 weeks when there is medical evidence that the unborn can feel pain.

The Politico: An amendment sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) would allow the federal health care plans of servicewomen to cover abortions if they have been raped or are the victims of incest. It’s included in the Senate defense authorization bill, now awaiting Senate floor debate.

Politico: Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) introduced an amendment on Thursday that would ban same-sex marriage on any military facility and prohibit any military chaplain from performing gay marriage ceremonies.

LifeNews: A U.S. House committee approved a bill today that would stop the policy of unlimited abortions throughout pregnancy for any reason in the nation’s capital. The Judiciary Committee backed the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 3803) . . .

MLIve.com: The bill would require more abortion providers to become licensed as freestanding outpatient surgical facilities with the state. That would add inspection and licensing requirements for the facilities, including a $238 annual licensing fee and in some cases extra insurance requirements.

Center for Arizona Policy: Against the best interests of the health and safety of Arizona’s women, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights have filed a lawsuit to block CAP-supported legislation that prohibits abortion after 20 weeks. | ACLU press release: American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Arizona Join Center for Reproductive Rights Against Most Extreme Ban in the Natio

LifeNews: The bill approved by the Missouri Legislature states that no employee or employer can be forced to purchase health insurance coverage which includes abortion, contraception, or sterilization, if those items or procedures are contrary to their “religious beliefs or moral convictions.” The bill provides that no governmental entity can penalize an employee or employer for declining or refusing to purchase or provide such coverage.

Michael J. New at National Review: Last month, Michigan’s house of representatives received national attention for passing a package of pro-life bills. Among the provisions were (1) making it a crime to coerce women into having abortions (2); requiring humane disposition of aborted babies (3); prohibiting the prescription the abortion drug RU-486 remotely over the Internet (4); strengthening the liability insurance requirements for abortion providers; and (5) more thorough licensing and inspection requirements for abortion clinics. The omnibus bill passed by a 70–39 vote and the Michigan senate will likely take action on the legislation in September.

Telegraph: Christians will be able to wear crosses to work under changes to the law promised yesterday by David Cameron.

LifeNews: The House voted 244-184 for repeal. Republicans strongly supported repealing the Obamacare bill, voting 239 to 0 to do so, while Democrats strongly opposed repealing the pro-abortion bill, voting 184-5 against repeal.

Think Progress: In just the first half of 2012, states have enacted 95 new provisions related to reproductive health and rights, including 39 new laws restricting women’s access to abortion services. A new report from the Guttmacher Institute confirms . . .

IB Times: While Florida’s controversial school prayer law officially took effect on Sunday, both supporters and opponents of the “inspirational message” legislation have acknowledged that the law is primarily a political one aimed at boosting Republican candidates ahead of the November elections and is unlikely to be implemented by school districts.

AP: Democrats blocked a Senate vote Wednesday on President Barack Obama’s plan to extend expiring tax cuts . . .

The Hill: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday he wants the Senate to vote again “in the near future” on repealing President Obama’s healthcare law.

The Hill: A new Republican bill would remove the teeth from a contentious Obama administration health mandate by barring the federal government from penalizing employers that do not comply.

Kathryn Jean Lopez at National Review: In the House of Representatives today, Tennessee congresswoman Diane Black and Wisconsin congressman James Sensenbrenner, two Protestant lawmakers, are introducing the Religious Freedom Tax Repeal Act, seeking to repeal the fine on faith the Obama administration’s abortion-inducing drug, contraception, and sterilization mandate imposes.

The Hill: The House is expected to approve legislation as early as Monday that would provide grant money to states to fight bullying at schools.

Religion Clause Blog: In New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms v New York State Senate, (NY App. Div., July 6, 2912) a New York state appeals court rejected a challenge to the state’s Marriage Equality Law (which permits same-sex marriage) enacted last year.

AP: A new law will let companies contribute billions of dollars less to their workers’ pension funds, raising concerns about weakening the plans that millions of Americans count on for retirement.

Austin R. Nimocks at Townhall: From the moment the push to redefine marriage began, the most militant of the would-be redefiners deployed a “scorched earth policy” toward marriage to achieve their goals. In other words, they proved willing not just to alter, but also to destroy marriage and the family in order to establish conditions where they could reconstruct marriage – and all of society – according to their own designs.

LifeNews: The North Carolina state legislature has de-funded Planned Parenthood — with legislative leaders agreeing to a state budget that redirects $343,000 in family planning funding from Planned Parenthood, the nation’s biggest abortion business, to county health departments.

The Hill: The House as early as next week will pass legislation prohibiting the IRS from receiving any money from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement the 2010 healthcare reform law.

One News Now: In a surprising move, New Hampshire’s Legislature has overruled Gov. John Lynch’s (D) veto of a tax-credit scholarship bill — paving the way for school choice in the state. | Heritage Foundation: New Hampshire’s Groundbreaking School Choice Expansion

MyFoxTampaBay: But it remains to be seen if any school boards will adopt the new policy. The Florida Association of School Boards is urging school leaders not to implement the measure. Spokesman Wayne Blanton said schools would open themselves up to expensive and prolonged litigation if they move ahead with the new law.

Sacramento Bee: Mom and Dad, same-sex couples or blended families, California law is clear: No more than two legal parents per child. When adults fight over parenthood, a judge must decide which two have that right and responsibility – but that could end soon. State Sen. Mark Leno is pushing legislation to allow a child to have multiple parents.

Religion Clause Blog: As reported by WLNS News, last Monday (legislative history) Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed HB 5560 (full text) making it a misdemeanor . . .

LA Times: “It is shameful,” Deasy said of the panel’s decision. “It seems a no-brainer bill that would allow districts an expedited way, with full due process rights, to fire teachers who have committed the most heinous acts.”

LifeSiteNews: Nick McKim, the leader of the Greens in the Australian state of Tasmania has announced that he will be introducing a euthanasia bill that will be co-sponsored by Premier Lara Giddings, the leader of the Labour party.

AP: Gov. Jerry Brown signed a new budget for California on Wednesday that relies heavily on voters approving his proposed tax hikes in November.

LifeSiteNews: A new law banning explicit sex education, spearheaded after an anti-AIDS group two years ago demonstrated oral sex on anatomical models in front of high schoolers, took effect in Tennessee this week.

One News Now: Ohio lawmakers are considering a bill that would ban sex-selective abortions.

The Hill (includes video): An exasperated Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that he would not allow a vote on an amendment clarifying that life begins at conception, which Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) offered to a flood insurance bill.

The Church Report: U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey has introduced legislation that would allow Indonesian immigrants the chance to reopen their bids for U.S. asylum.

ABA Journal: State lawmakers across the country are considering bills that would limit the power of the judiciary. Many of the proposed laws reflect a concern about foreign influence in U.S. courts. A few states, including Tennessee, Louisiana and Arizona, have already adopted versions of such laws.

Providence Journal: Governor Chafee is allowing legislation inspired by the recent controversy over a memorial cross in front of a Woonsocket fire station to become law without his signature.

Religion Clause Blog: As reported by BNA Securities Law Daily [subscription required], the Senate on Thursday passed H.R. 33, the Church Plan Investment Clarification Act (full text).

Washington Blade: A bipartisan group of nine senators is backing the idea of having the Senate panel with jurisdiction over the Employment Non-Discrimination Act advance the legislation to the floor by a committee vote.

Washington Post: House panel approved new federal funding for the District on Wednesday, including additional money for city courts, the extension of a D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, and the continuation of a controversial ban on city money being used to pay for abortions.

Care2: Ward, with the backing of the ever ready religious conservative Alliance Defense Fund, sued, charging that the school violated the Constitution by censoring her freedom of religious speech . . . However, Ward’s representatives from the Alliance Defense Fund are pleased with the legislature’s attempts to enshrine this religious right to discriminate, with Jeremy Tedesco of the ADF saying “We’re encouraged that the elected representatives of Michigan have taken a concern in this case and decided to act.”

LifeSiteNews: One abortion clinic, Allegheny Women’s Center, voluntary closed on June 15, 2012, rather than comply with the law. Five others will be forced to stop all surgical abortions as of today.

LifeNews: Gov. John Lynch has upset pro-lifers in New Hampshire by vetoing a bill that would ban partial-birth abortions in the state. The bill would allow New Hampshire to better enforce the federal law banning them.

LifeNews: Lamping’s bill states that no employee or employer can be compelled to obtain or provide health care coverage for abortion, contraception, or sterilization, if such items or procedures violate their religious beliefs.

NECN.com: Nearly all of the state’s abortion clinics are expected to remain open under a tougher law that raises surgical standards as a response to grotesque conditions discovered at a Philadelphia clinic two years ago, state officials said Monday.

Religion Clause Blog: On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions held a hearing on “Equality At Work: The Employment Non-Discrimination Act” (full text of witness statements and video of full hearing). The bill, S. 811 . . .

UPI: A proposed abortion bill to be submitted to Turkey’s cabinet seeks middle ground between a woman’s right to choose and a fetus’ right to life, officials said.

Kaiser Health News: The bill signed by Bobby Jindal would also require abortion providers to offer women the opportunity to listen to the fetal heartbeat. In other abortion news, a Michigan legislative panel endorses a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Detroit Free Press: A package of measures aimed at restricting and regulating abortion practices cleared a key hurdle Thursday in a Michigan House committee and could get a floor vote as early as next week.

UGPulse.com: The interreligious council of Uganda has called upon members of parliament to pass the long awaited anti homosexuality bill which is currentlybefore parliament.

Fox News: A Homeland Security spending bill approved by the GOP-led House on Thursday includes a provision to bar Immigration and Customs Enforcement from providing abortions for illegal immigrant detainees.

The Hill (includes video): Veterans and retired members of the military are calling on Congress to provide abortion funding for servicewomen in the case of rape or incest in a new ad campaign announced Thursday.

LifeSiteNews: Prime Minister Stephen Harper is pressuring Conservative MPs to vote against Stephen Woodworth’s motion to review the legal definition of a human being, reports the Globe and Mail. The motion was supposed be debated on Thursday and voted on next week, however the debate and vote have been postponed until the fall after Woodworth’s mother fell ill.

LifeSiteNews: The bill, sponsored by NDP MP Randall Garrison (Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC), proposes to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code to include “gender identity” and “gender expression” as prohibited grounds of discrimination.

The Hill: House Republicans are continuing their efforts to restrict abortions in the District of Columbia, announcing plans to introduce a new anti-abortion-rights bill in Congress.

LifeSiteNews: As the summer heats up, the nation has passed a number of pro-life bills, especially in the state of Louisiana, where legislators voted to restrict abortion to 20 weeks, assure abortions were performed by physicians, and extend a waiting period from two hours to one day.

Missouri Family Policy Council: The proposal, Senate Bill 755, would make it a crime to disrupt a house of worship by disturbing or interrupting a worship service or by interfering with persons seeking access to a house of worship.

Pacific Justice Institute: The California Senate today voted in favor of a groundbreaking bill designed to prohibit counselors and therapists from telling young people it is possible to change same-sex attractions.

DailyComet.com: A pair of bills intended to discourage women from obtaining abortions is nearing final passage, advancing Wednesday in the Louisiana Legislature with no debate.

Dave Cortman appeared on the Bob Dutko Show. | MP3 audio 7:20 mins

LifeNews: President Barack Obama appears to oppose the ban on sex-selection abortions that the House of Representatives debated yesterday and will be voting on today.

Washington Times: Democrats have tried in the past to overturn the 16-year-old ban on military funding for abortion except when the mother’s life is at stake, but the latest attempt picked up some bipartisan traction last week in the Armed Services Committee, with GOP Sens. John McCain, Susan M. Collins and Scott P. Brown signing on.

USA Today: Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a law aimed at keeping the state’s courts or government agencies from basing decisions on Islamic or other foreign legal codes, and a national Muslim group’s spokesman said Friday that a court challenge is likely.

The State: State employees could pay higher health insurance premiums in order for the state health plan to continue to cover abortions in the case of rape or incest, according to a compromise reached in the S.C. Senate.

Middletown Journal: Group buys ads targeting lawmakers. Faith 2 Action pushing Senate to act on ‘heartbeat’ bill.

LifeNews: A Senate committee voted today to permanently force Americans to fund groups that promote and perform abortions in other nations using taxpayer dollars.

LifeSiteNews: The Whole Woman’s Health Funding Priority Act, an initiative of Republic State Representative Daryl Metcalfe and co-written by the Susan B. Anthony List and the Alliance Defense Fund, will place facilities that provide abortions at the bottom of a priority list for funding, allowing more money to go to health care providers that offer services for women such as dental care, mammograms, and treatments for anxiety disorders.

Inquisitr.com: Metcalfe will introduce the Whole Woman’s Health Funding Priority Act on Wednesday, a bill that would place abortion providing health care providers at the end of the priority list for state funding. The bill was co-written by anti-abortion activist group Susan B. Anthony List and the Alliance Defense Fund.

Religion Clause Blog: The U.S House of Representatives last week passed, and sent to the Senate, HR 4310, the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (full text.)  The bill contains two provisions relating to same-sex unions and to broader issues of conscience rights in relation to gays and lesbians.  Section 536 of the bill provides in part: