Further Infringement

Our congressional "leaders" managed to slip into the critical 2005 spending bill a provision which quietly infringes on abortion rights. From the Center for American Progress:

The omnibus bill also includes an attack on Americans' abortion rights, making it "a little easier for hospitals, insurers and others to refuse to provide or cover abortions." Today, many clinics and providers, in exchange for federal funds, are required to tell pregnant women who do not wish to have a child that abortion is among their options. The omnibus provision, sponsored by Rep. David Weldon (R-FL) and slipped into the bill without discussion, "would make it more difficult to enforce that," threatening to "withhold all federal education and health funds" from local governments which required health care entities to provide such information. House leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said the Weldon amendment represented "an extraordinary sneak attack on women's rights," allowing doctors and hospitals to "simply ignore" Roe v. Wade.

The conservatives need to be reminded, once again, that the right to abortion is currently the law of the land, via the Roe v. Wade decision. To continue to provide federal funding to practicioners who refuse to uphold the law is an implicit condemnation of a woman's legal right to abortion. These practicioners are free to follow their consciences and not provide abortions if they wish; but if they choose to do so they should not enjoy the financial support of the U.S. government.

Here in Illinois, Senator Dick Durbin--who continues to be an inspiration to progressives, and whose promotion last week to Senate Minority Whip is well-deserved--voted against the spending bill, while lame-duck Republican Peter Fitzgerald voted for it. Thanks for exercising your conscience, Pete; now please pack your things and clear out. Make way for Obama.