|
What Is The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA)? 1/9/2009 The Freedom of Choice Act is NOT new --- it has been simmering in Congress for the past 10 years, but its pro-life opposition has been strong enough to keep it at bay...until now. President-elect Obama promised, "The first thing I'd do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing that I'd do." Watch the YouTube video. Mr. Obama's website also shows his support for the Freedom of Choice Act www.barackobama.com
To be clear, the Freedom of Choice Act's purpose is two-fold:
First, it would unilaterally end the debate on abortion by making it into law. Abortion would be a "fundamental right" for American women, just like free speech. Even if Roe vs Wade were to be overturned, FOCA--as law--would remain.
Second, it would nullify all pro-life legislation and court decisions in effect today as well as prohibit any future pro-life congressional legislation and/or court decisions.
Watch the ACLJ video.
Print out CWA's FACT CARDs and distribute.
FOCA will:
- eliminate all parental notification, informed consent, and waiting period laws.
- rescind the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, 2003.
- compel taxpayer funding of abortions by nullifying the Hyde Amendment (which restricts taxpayer funding of abortions).
- force faith-based hospitals and healthcare facilities to perform abortions.
- rescind state and federal legal protections for healthcare providers who decline to participate in abortions.
- eliminate all restrictions on abortion after fetal viability. "Under FOCA, post-viability abortions are expressly permitted to protect the woman’s 'health.' Within the context of abortion, 'health' has been interpreted so broadly that FOCA would not actually proscribe any abortion before or after viability.", Denise M. Burke, VP Legal Affairs, Americans United for Life, AUL-FOCA
History of FOCA, 1989 - Present
1989 - Senator Alan Cranston (D-CA) Rep. Don Edwards (D-CA) introduced the first version of the Freedom of Choice Act (S. 1912 and H.R. 3700, 101st Congress) amid fears that Roe vs Wade was being dismantled by broadening restrictions (U.S. Supreme Court, Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, 492 U.S. 490, 1989) and could possibly be overturned.
1993 - Senator George Mitchell (D-ME) and Rep. Don Edwards (D-CA) reintroduced FOCA as S. 25 and H.R. 1068, 103d Congress, in response to Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833, 1992.
1995 - Rep. Peter Torkildsen (R-MA) introduced H.R. 776, 104th Congress.
2004 - Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) introduced FOCA bills S. 1173 and H.R. 1964, 110th Congress. Senator Boxer's press release regarding S. 1173 explained that FOCA would “supersede all other abortion related laws, regulations or local ordinances,” which included informed consent laws and any health and safety regulations imposed on abortion clinics.
2007 - Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) reintroduced the most radical FOCA bill yet, following the Supreme Court’s decision in U.S. Supreme Court Gonzales v. Carhart 550 U.S. 124, 2007, which upheld the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003.
Links to find out more:
Pro-Life groups mobilize to stop FOCA.
ACLJ
Alliance Defense Fund, Attorney Matt Bowman
Americans United for Life (AUL)
Christian Life Resources
Family Research Council
National Right to Life
One Nation Under God
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Vision America, Pastor Rick Scarborough
Pro-Choice groups are fighting hard to pass FOCA in the 111th Congress.
NARAL, National Abortion & Reproductive Rights Action League
NARAL, Press Release, April 7, 2006
NOW, April 30, 2007
Planned Parenthood Plea to support FOCA
Planned Parenthood, Politicizing Abortion, Hannity's America
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Letter to President-elect Obama
ACLU
Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health
 | Printer Friendly Version |
