FaxNotes - November 18, 1997

Nov. 18, 1997



More on the "Mexico City" Policy Congress has adjourned until 1998 leaving behind a stalemate between the House and President Clinton over a pro-life provision known as the "Mexico City" policy. Because of President Clinton’s determination to veto the foreign operations appropriations bill as long as it contained the pro-life amendment, and because the Senate was expected to vote down a conference report with the pro-life language in it, the House sent the bill to the President without his requested funding for $819 million in back dues for the United Nations, an additional $3.5 billion for the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and State Department reorganization. In the final days before adjournment, House leaders attempted to achieve a compromise they thought both the Senate and the White House might accept. Pro-life leader Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) agreed to language that would make the Mexico City policy permanent law, but allowing President Clinton to the power to waive exceptions for agencies that perform abortions. Should he exercise the waiver, the $385 million in family planning funds would be reduced to $350 million, permanently capping all expenditures for those purposes, from any federal account, at that amount. [Funding for "family planning" services overseas comes from government sources other than foreign operations, increasing the amount far beyond the $385 million of concern here.] The compromise was accepted by the Senate but was stopped by House Foreign Operations Subcommittee chairman Rep. John Porter (R-IL) and Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), both staunch supporters of abortion. When Congress reconvenes in January, these issues will reemerge. In a Washington Times article (11/14/97), Congressman Smith said he has been assured the U.N. money will never be paid without the abortion language he wants. "Mexico City is absolutely, totally, inextricably linked to U.N. arrearages and IMF," he said. We have the Speaker’s [Newt Gingrich] word that, in perpetuity, no arrearages, no IMF, unless the White House meets us halfway on Mexico City." California 22 Update The October 31 issue of FaxNotes alerted you to the up-coming special election in California’s 22nd Congressional District, due to the untimely death of Rep. Walter Capps, who had a pro-abortion voting record. Initially, Dr. Rene Bravo, a fine, pro-life pediatrician had announced that he would run for the seat. At the same time, pro-abortion Governor Pete Wilson backekd former Santa Barbara County Supervisor Mike Stoker. Then, House Speaker Newt Gingrich and the National Republican Congressional Committee headed by Rep. John Linder (R-GA), publicly announced their support for California Assemblyman Brooks Firestone, a liberal who voted against a ban on partial birth abortions and a parental consent law, and who supports gun control, affirmative action and special rights for homosexuals. In doing so, they incurred the wrath of grassroots Republicans not only in the 22nd District but across the state. The San Luis Obispo Republican Central Committee sent an angry letter to Rep. Linder accusing them of "dealing long-range from Washington" without knowing or caring about the concerns of the registered voters in District 22. The members of the California Congressional Caucus were informed of Firestone’s liberal record, and, when they met to discuss the special session did not make an endorsement. The NRCC has backed off on its support of Mr. Firestone. Dr. Rene Bravo has decided to run for a seat in the California Assembly, and staunch pro-life, pro-business Assemblyman Tom Bordonaro is the pro-life conservative candidate in CD-22. Florida Jeb Bush, son of former President George Bush, has picked a pro-abortion-choice running mate in Secretary of State Sandra Mortham. Grassroots pro-life supporters of Mr. Bush have had their enthusiasm for his campaign dampened substantially by his decision. They are questioning why Mr. Bush, whom they consider to be solidly pro-life, would deliberately advance the political career of someone who does not recognize the inherent, God-given right to life.