Republicans Face Showdown With Religious Right Over Dropped Abortion Bill

[cbayer]

http://religiondispatches.org/republicans-face-showdown-with-religious-right-over-dropped-abortion-bill/

BY SARAH POSNER JANUARY 22, 2015

House Republicans last night withdrew the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would ban all abortions after 20 weeks, following objections from women in their caucus and members from moderate districts that the bill would alienate young voters and women.

For Republicans to drop the bill the night before today’s annual March for Life is (and I don’t exaggerate here) shocking. Republican legislators have long used the March for Life as a easy way to take a stand in front of throngs of the most ardent anti-choice activists, and they only need to travel steps from their offices to do it. They had planned a vote on the bill to coincide with today’s march, and the bill’s passage would have enthralled participants, as the anti-choice movement has lobbied for years to ban abortion based on dubious claims about a fetus’s ability to experience pain.

But Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), and others had objected to the bill, protesting that younger voters are less interested in an emphasis on social issues.

Late last night, after the Republicans had shelved the bill, the Family Research Council sent out an email urging followers to contact their representatives to vote for the bill and “defend it on the House floor.” David Christenson, the group’s Vice President for Government Affairs, added, “The anniversary of Roe v. Wade is not the time to get weak kneed and Members need to hear from you.”

more at link

[Promethean]

1. "younger voters are less interested in an emphasis on social issues"

More like younger voters are on the pro-choice side of this issue and they realize their long term prospects are already shaky.

[cbayer]

2. Yeah, I think "emphasis on social issues" is a euphemism

for anti-abortion and anti-GLBT positions. It's not that they are less interested, they are just not interesting in the Republican position.

That's good news.

[LiberalAndProud]

3. I would have missed that nuance, but I think you may be right.

There is something hopeful that "family values" may have finally reached their zenith in the political debate.

Still, my more pessimistic side whispers that now they are in a position to finally act on their rhetoric, they would prefer to keep those wedge issues relevant for the next election, ad infinitum.

[Promethean]

4. Wedge issues motivate people to vote.

When you have the majority on your side of the wedge or the other side of the wedge is apathetic or non-committal then hammer that wedge hard. Abortion has had this status for a long time because quite simply, even on the pro-choice side, it isn't an easy or comfortable decision. The tide is turning though as younger generations are taking a more enlightened stance on most social issues.