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Legislative Update for April 26, 2013

House

Gosnell: We have been working with our friends on Capitol Hill to continue to focus attention on the atrocities committed by Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell, so that all Americans know about his callous disregard for women and the unborn.More importantly, we have worked hard to show that Gosnell’s “House of Horrors” is not an isolated clinic but that atrocities such as those Gosnell perpetrated happens at abortion clinics across the country.This week, we helped Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Indiana) with his efforts to get Members of Congress to speak on the House floor about the Gosnell trial.To hear their statements, please click here.

Plan B: Earlier this month, a New York Judge overrode Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius’ decision not to allow kids under the age of 17 access to Plan B, an “emergency” contraceptive.CWALAC and other like-minded organizations sent Sebelius a letter urging the Obama Administration to appeal this decision.Reinforcing our coalition’s actions, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-North Carolina) sent President Obama a letter this week urging him to support Sebelius’ decision and to appeal the New York decision.CWALAC worked closely with Rep. Meadows to get members of Congress to join the letter.

Women in Combat: Shortly before former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta left his position, to pander to feminist special interests he lifted the ban on women serving in ground combat.We recognize that women have already been serving our country admirably and in some roles are much better suited than men.However, to thrust women into front-line combat is a bad idea that will likely have deadly repercussions.We have been working with House Members who serve on the Armed Services Committee on possible amendments to the Defense Authorization that will likely come up in May to ensure that the mission of the military is not compromised and that our armed forces continue to be the best around the world.Please watch for further updates.

Senate

Sequester: Both Chambers of Congress have been calling foul over the Administration’s continual play of politics and use of the sequester to stick it to the American people – from canceled airline flights to being “locked-out” of the White House. It only took the roaring outrage of upset constituents for the Senate to pass legislation allowing the Federal Aviation Administration to keep air traffic control towers running closer to their full capacity. For details, click here.

Nomination: Thomas E. Perez is Obama’s nominee for the cabinet position of Secretary of Labor. His nomination is not sailing smoothly through the Senate; instead it’s being met with controversy over his corrupt judicial deals and his extreme prejudice toward pro-lifers. This week, his mark up in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee was put on hold until May 8.

For more details, click here to read CWALAC’s letter to the Senate HELP Committee.

Action: Please call the following senators who sit on the HELP Committee, and urge them to oppose bringing Perez’s nomination to the Senate floor.


Chairman: Tom Harkin (D-Iowa): 202-224-3254

Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland): 202-224-4654

Patty Murray (D-Washington): 202-224- 2621

Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont): 202-224-5141

Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania): 202-224-6324

Kay Hagan (North Carolina): 202-224-6342

Al Franken (D-Minnesota): 202-224-5641

Michael Bennet (D-Colorado): 202-224-2447

Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island): 202-224-2621

Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin): 202-224-5653

Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut): 202-224-4041

Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts): 202-224-4543

Ranking Member: Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee): 202-224-4944

Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming): 202-224-3424

Richard Burr (R-North Carolina): 202-224-3154

Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia): 202-224-3643

Rand Paul (R-Kentucky): 202-224-4343

Orrin Hatch (R-Utah): 202-224-5251

Pat Roberts (R-Kansas): 202-224-4774

Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska): 202-224-6665

Mark Kirk (R-Illinois): 202-224-2854

Tim Scott (R-South Carolina): 202-224-6121


Common Core Letter: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) wrote an open letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education within the Senate Appropriations Committee this week. Members were asked to sign on to the letter, which addresses the issue of Common Core State Standards.

Although the time for action with this letter has ended, your action in your states on this issue is just beginning. Contact your state legislators, including the governor, to discuss this issue with them.

For more information regarding the Common Core Standards, click here.