FROM THE DOME
Employment Non-Discrimination:
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced a resolution in the Senate that would bar employment discrimination based on sexual orientation for all U.S. Senate workers. Approximately 6,500 people could be affected by the resolution according to the National Stonewall Democrats, the nation’s largest GLBT (Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Transgender) Democrats. It will add “sexual orientation” to Rule 42 of the Standing Rules of the Senate, which now bars discrimination, based on “race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or state of physical handicap.” It now has to go the Senate Rules Committee and if passed out will be voted upon by the entire Senate.
Hearings were held this week on the Cloning bills. There are two under consideration: the “phony” cloning ban that allows for “therapeutic cloning” better known as “clone and kill”, and a total ban on cloning. Senator Sam Brownback told the committee that it would be best to err on the side of caution. “If you don’t know if a person was dead yet, you wouldn’t bury him…and I would put it in reverse, saying if you’re not sure if it’s a life or not, you wouldn’t kill it.” “There’s only one type of human cloning and it always results in the creation of a human being.” S245 is the total ban on human cloning sponsored by Brownback-Landrieu.
Judicial Nominations:
Apparently the Democrats are escalating the fight over judicial nominees by telling the Judiciary Committee they will block the nominations of Richard Griffin, David McKeague, Susan Bieke Neilson and Henry Saad to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition they will also try to block the nomination of Thomas Ludington to a seat on the U.S. District Court. Both of these senators are from Michigan and this in effect will bar every Bush nominee from any jurisdiction over the state of Michigan. Priscilla Owen, another Bush nominee is under threat of a filibuster and Miguel Estrada is still waiting for an up or down vote in the Senate.
Cast your vote against obstructionism and call your senators and Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD), minority leader of the Senate. Call Bill Frist (R-TN) majority leader of the Senate and urge him to stand firm. 202-224-3121
Those who advocate abstinence are concerned about both House and Senate versions of the global AIDS bills because neither bill places a priority for abstinence education and fidelity in marriage above condom distribution. Even though the country of Uganda has had tremendous success in curbing AIDS by advocating abstinence, the U.S. seems to be prepared to ignore that in favor of condoms. The bills also contain statements that support “existing public-private partnerships” which will give preference to existing prevention projects over more innovative ones that might stress abstinence. In addition there are no protections in the Senate version to prevent AIDS funds from being used to perform abortions. There are no legal religious protections for faith-based groups who want to help care for orphans and those afflicted with AIDS, but do not want to promote condoms to children.
Contact your senators and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and urge them to oppose the Lugar Global AIDS Bill. Senator Frist: 202-224-3135/ Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121