FRC's Cathy Ruse, JD to Testify before Congress in Support of 'No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act'

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Feb 08, 2011, 10:34 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council Senior Fellow for Legal Studies Cathy Ruse, JD, will testify today at 4 p.m. Eastern before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution in favor of the bipartisan "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act" (H.R. 3) sponsored U.S. Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL).

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Ruse, herself former Chief Counsel to the Constitution Subcommittee, will provide the committee with analysis as to why federal funding under Obamacare should not subsidize health plans that include abortion, something that the government had not done since 1976. Because abortion funding restrictions for other departments are in multiple bills needing to be renewed each year, the Smith-Lipinski bill would in one bill apply across the government and make these permanent. It would prevent government funding for abortion in health programs like Medicaid and federal employees' health plans, prevent abortion funding in international aid, and would eliminate the IRS tax break for abortion in health savings accounts. The bill does not prevent people from buying health insurance with abortion coverage with their own money; it just prevents federal subsidies for abortion coverage.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said Ruse's testimony provides a critical counterpoint to advocates of federal subsidization of abortion:

"Government funding for abortion is both morally and fiscally irresponsible, which is why more than two-thirds of Americans oppose such funding.

"Government funding of abortion will increase the number of abortions, which already exceeds 52 million. Funding abortion will also subsidize a callous abortion industry which defends the shocking video footage showing Planned Parenthood's willingness to cover-up sex abuse of minors seeking abortion. The abortion industry is brutal, as indicated by the example of Dr. Kermit Gosnell who is accused of delivering seven babies before cutting their spinal cords and murdering at least one mother. Dr Gosnell reportedly made millions on abortion. The government should not pay for the 'services' of doctors like him.

"We thank Cathy Ruse for her testimony before Congress in favor of swift action on the 'No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.' This commonsense bill will restore government neutrality to the issue of taxpayer funding for abortion and undo the abortion funding scheme in Obamacare and federal funding of abortion in the District of Columbia passed last year.

"Regardless of their view on the legal question of abortion, Americans should not be forced to pay for abortions. We urge Congress to take quick action to restore abortion funding neutrality and protect the conscience rights of the American people," concluded Perkins.

SOURCE Family Research Council