Istook Amendment Passes in Committee - FaxNotes

July 15, 1998



Istook Amendment Passes in Committee Thanks to all your phone calls and faxes, members of the full House Appropriations Committee passed the Istook Amendment to Title X on Tuesday, 32-24. The amendment requires taxpayer-funded "family planning" agencies to notify parents before dispensing prescription contraceptive/abortion-causing drugs and devices to minors. It further requires agencies to obey state laws regarding the reporting of suspected crimes such as statutory rape, child abuse, and incest, against minors. The amendment resulted from a case in McHenry, IL, where a 14 year-old girl was repeatedly taken to a Title X clinic by her 37 year-old teacher, and injected with Depo-Provera without her parents' knowledge in order to conceal his sexual exploitation of the child. Thank you to Congressman Ernest Istook, (R-OK) . We will do all we can to help fight for passage when the amendment goes to the House floor. Another amendment to Title X was offered by Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) requiring taxpayer-funded clinics to be physically separate from abortion mills. There is growing evidence of abortion facilities and Title X agencies sharing space and/or personnel in order to cut expenses. The much-needed amendment failed on a vote of 26-26. Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Bob Livingston (R-LA) reportedly did not vote to break the tie. [Rep. Bob Livingston - 202/225-3015] Nevertheless, we are grateful to Mr. Tiahrt, a pro-life stalwart, for offering his amendment and encourage him to do so again next year. Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who supports a mother's right to abortion until "viability", on February 2 signed on as a co-sponsor of the Equity in Prescription and Contraceptive Coverage Act (S. 766, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and H.R. 2174 by Rep. Jim Greenwood (R-PA) in the House. (The Life Advocate, June/July, 1998) The bill would force health insurance companies to cover contraceptive/abortion - causing prescription drugs and devices, including oral contraceptives, the "morning after" pill, Depo Provera, Norplant, the Intra-Uterine Device and, if approved by the FDA and reclassified a "contraceptive", the abortion drug RU-486. Senator Hutchison long ago joined forces with the friends of the abortion industry in the Republican Party by supporting the removal of the pro-life plank from the Republican National Platform. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison - 202/224-5922 New Jersey RTL Stops Additional Funding of PP Planned Parenthood's request for an additional $3.6 million in taxpayer dollars in the FY ‘99 state budget was rejected by the New Jersey legislature, largely because of well organized efforts by the independent organization, New Jersey Right to Life. Marie Tasy, director of public and legislative affairs issued a news release on July 1 in which she said: "Through extensive radio ads, legislative mailings, meetings with key legislators and our improved ability to access, activate and mobilize our networks and chapters, NJRTL played a critical leadership role in this victory for the taxpayer. Michigan Makes Assisted Suicide Illegal Life Advocacy Briefing, 6/6/98, reports that Michigan lawmakers on July 2 approved a ban on abetted suicide, seeking to restrain the state's most notorious resident, Jack Kevorkian, from his lethal habit. Pledging to sign the bill, which will take effect Sept. 1, Governor John Engler told Associated Press writer Greta Guest: "The measure ‘ought to put Jack Kevorkian out of business and end that sorry spectacle that's been playing out these many years.' " Penalties include imprisonment up to five years and fines up to $10,000.