5 Things You Need to Know About the Congressional ‘Abortion’ Standoff
Care2 Causes
How divided has the U.S. Congress become? So divided that even so-called “bipartisan” bills can’t make it through anymore. The latest fight at the capitol is over The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act–a piece of anti-trafficking legislation–something that should have been an easy pass. Instead, the bill has been held up by party divisions and Republicans adding anti-abortion language.
So what exactly is this “abortion issue” the parties are digging in their feet over, and how is it impacting other aspects of government? Here are five things you need to know about this fight.
1) The “abortion restriction” is not just reinforcing the Hyde Amendment.
Republicans claim that the additional restriction in the bill is just continuing the already existing rules of the Hyde Amendment, ... two reasons that is not the case ...
2) The anti-abortion language is a new addition to a previous bill that had bipartisan support.
Republicans took it upon themselves to insert new language (and not actually notify anyone that they inserted it) when the legislation was reintroduced. ... Republicans took a bill everyone agreed on and added language to insert a divisive social issue, ...
3) Abortion access is an important aspect of this bill. A population that is involved in sex trafficking is going to be primarily young and without access to health care. They are also likely to not have access to contraception, meaning they are especially vulnerable to unwanted pregnancies. ...
4) We’ve had this fight before. {VAWA} ... Considering the GOP’s past history of blocking bills that protect victims, this sudden chorus of claims that Democrats are letting abortion politics get in the way of passing legislation is ironic at best and deceptive at worst.
5) The GOP would rather strong arm than compromise. opportunity to do what it loves best–blocking anything the administration is trying to accomplish. In this case, it’s confirming the new appointee for Attorney General, Loretta Lynch. ...
... "Sen. McConnell’s political stunt is another ugly reminder that this Republican leadership has the wrong priorities. ...," said NARAL Pro-Choice America ...
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http://www.care2.com/causes/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-congressional-abortion-standoff.html
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Correction: This piece originally suggested the human trafficking bill contains a clause preventing emergency contraception. This is not the case, but refers to a separate effort that could impact migrant children. We apologize for any confusion. - Care2
http://thinkprogress.org/immigration/2015/03/05/3627571/faith-refugee-contraception/
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