Ohio Right to Life press release

Nine Ohio Members of Congress Vote for Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Mike Gonidakis DATE: Monday, March 21, 2010 PHONE: (614) 547-0099 ext. 301

On Sunday, March 21, 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 219 to 212 to pass H.R. 3590, the pro-abortion Senate Health Care bill. Nine Ohio Members of Congress voted in favor of this pro-abortion bill - thus providing the votes necessary for its passage. They are: Steve Driehaus; Charlie Wilson; Marcy Kaptur; Dennis Kucinich; Marcia Fudge; Betty Sutton; Mary Jo Kilroy; John Boccieri; and Tim Ryan. Although President Obama agreed to issue an Executive Order supposedly preventing abortion funding under the bill in order to obtain the votes of some of these legislators, the Executive Order will not prevent the pro-abortion effects of the bill. As National Right to Life stated: "The executive order promised by President Obama was issued for political effect. It changes nothing. It does not correct any of the serious pro-abortion provisions in the bill. The president cannot amend a bill by issuing an order, and the federal courts will enforce what the law says." The view that the Executive Order will not correct the pro-abortion problems with the bill was also confirmed by legal experts consulted by the U.S. Catholic Conference and Americans United for Life. "It is particularly infuriating that some of the Ohio Representatives who voted for this bill purport to be pro-life," said Mike Gonidakis, Executive Director of Ohio Right to Life. "Whether they were duped by the executive order or merely trying to give themselves 'political cover,' all of these Ohio Members of Congress are responsible for the largest expansion of federal support for abortion since Roe v. Wade. Pro-lifers should repeatedly make clear to them that their vote for this pro-abortion bill was a huge political and moral mistake and will not be forgotten." Gonidakis said. Persons wishing to express their disappointment at their vote can contact these Representatives at the following numbers: John Bocceri (202) 225-3876 or (330) 489-4414 Steve Driehaus (202) 225-2216 or (513) 684-2723 Marcia Fudge (202) 225-7032 or (216) 522-4900 Marcy Kaptur (202) 225-4146 or (800) 964-4699 Dennis Kucinich (202) 225-5871 or (216) 228-8850 Mary Jo Kilroy (202) 225-2015 or (614) 294-2196 Tim Ryan (202) 225-5261 or (330) 740-0193 Betty Sutton (202) 225-3401 or (330) 865-8450 Charles Wilson (202) 225-5705 or (740) 633-5705 Sincerely, Ohio Right to Life