Roundup: Rep. Boehner Gets Anti-Abortion Award, Promises to Expand Hyde

Someone's been busy this weekend.  Rep. John Boehner has a big award and some big plans for the week.

House Minority Leader John Boehner spent his weekend being lauded by the National Right to Life convention for his opposition to health care reform.  Boehner, a Republican from Ohio and staunch anti-abortion supporter, was called a “a faithful defender of unborn children, disabled persons and seniors whose right to life may be jeopardized,” under a plan to allow everyone to have access to health insurance.

From Lifenews:

“Boehner has been an active supporter of a number of successful pro-life efforts over the years.

“He has been a major impediment to the advance of the Obama-Pelosi-Reid pro-abortion agenda,” [NRLC co-director Darla St. Martin] said. “Boehner relentlessly used his office to attempt to thwart” the massive abortion funding in the health care bill and he used the “sheer force of his his as he confronted Pelosi and other pro-abortion leaders” on the legislation.

“Not a single one of the 178 House Republicans voted for that deadly pro-abortion Obamacare bill,” thanks to Boehner, St. Martin added. “On behalf of every pro-lifer here and across America, we thank you John Boehner.”

Rep. Boehner had some very glowing words for the NRLC in return.  Via The Corner:

To be recognized by those who have devoted their lives to defending life is a true badge of honor.  Truly awe-inspiring.  I’m humbled, and inspired, by your confidence in me. 

I never sought to be recognized as a leader of the movement.  Never wore my pro-life credentials on my sleeve. 

I was what you might call a quiet warrior.  I just voted for what I thought was right, and stood up for what I thought was right, like all of you do every day.

But over the past few years, I’ve been compelled to raise my voice; to speak out a little more loudly. 

You invited me here to give me an award, and I gratefully accept it.  But let’s be clear: the true leaders are sitting out there in the crowd right now.  What I do matters less than what you do.

Rep. Boehner then followed up by announcing that this week will be a push to institutionalize and expand the national Hyde Amendment, banning any federal funds from being used at all in abortion coverage.  The Hill reports:

House Minority Leader John Boehner intends to press Democratic leaders to vote on a bill to ban federal funding of abortions.

The Ohio Republican told anti-abortion activists gathered at the 40th annual National Right To Life Convention (NRLC) on Saturday that he will co-sponsor a measure to ensure taxpayer dollars don’t fund abortions.


“Codifying the Hyde Amendment so that it applies to all federal funding, whether those funds are appropriated by Congress or authorized by Congress” has traction with individuals participating in the GOP’s new effort to solicit ideas from the public, Boehner said to the crowd of nearly 1,000 on the third day of their convention in Pittsburgh.

NRLC honored Boehner on Saturday as “Legislator of the Year 2010.”

Is it just another promise to an anti-choice activist group hungry to try and regain power, or could it be what many of us feared when reproductive rights unraveled before our eyes during healthcare reform, and Hyde will not only become permanent but much, much stricter?  In the Blog Briefing Room, The Hill states:

Boehner said his party will push for an expansion of the Hyde Amendment–which bans use of certain Medicaid funds from paying for abortion–to cover all federal funding with no exceptions.

Such an expansion would be devastating to those states, such as Minnesota, that do allow Medicaid and other funding to be used due to state Supreme Court intervention and other means.

Rep. Boehner touts in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that expanding Hyde is “the will of the people”:

“I believe this must be the next objective for pro-life America. It’s clear from the health care debate that the American people don’t want their tax dollars paying for abortion, and a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives agrees. It’s the will of the people, and it ought to be the law of the land – right now,” he said.

Seems like he may only be listening to a certain set of “the people” these days.

Mini Roundup: In honor of National HIV Testing Day, a pastor take an HIV test in church to encourage his congregation to get tested, and a letter writer nails why it’s impossible to be a anti-choice feminist.

June 25, 2010

Barber: For most of us, abortion is not topic  – SDNN

Epidemic played large role in shift of attitudes on abortion, author says – Genetic Engineering News

Abortion as genocide group regains club status – National Post

Anti-abortion group raises questions with Kagan’s position on healthcare … – The Hill

Andy Dillon courts voters who’ve had it with politics as usual – Detroit Free Press

The Obama Omelette: Euthanasia, Abortion, Obamanomics… Death is Death – Big Hollywood

Abortion rights advocate protests, then joins Right to Life convention – Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Abortion and Excommunication: An EZ Cartoon Lesson 4 Kidz – Politics Daily

Probe of rural Iowa system for dispensing abortion pills is urged – DesMoinesRegister.com

UK doctors: fetus can’t feel pain before 24 weeks – The Associated Press

When personal beliefs on abortion cross the line – Washington Post

NJ Democrats set stage for battle with Gov. Christie about family planning … – The Star-Ledger – NJ.com

Clinic to offer abortion services – Omaha World-Herald

Approve Reproductive Health Act – Ithaca Journal

At G8, Obama, Clinton Must Speak With One Voice for Safe Abortion Access – The Nation

A ‘Woman’s Right to Know’: breaking down the Texas GOP party platform – Examiner.com

Texas GOP Platform: Recriminalize Sodomy, Make it a Felony to Marry Gay Couples – Care2.com

Texas GOP: No Strip Clubs, No Porn, No Gays, No Fun – AVN News

Social conservatives make their case against Kagan – BP News

Canada announces $1.1B in new maternal health funding – CTV.ca

Sex Education in Schools Now Includes Elementary School Condoms and Middle … – Associated Content

Should the pill be available over the counter? – The Week Magazine

Condoms for First Graders? School Board’s Decision Sparks Firestorm in … – FOXNews

Can a Male Birth Control Pill Save the Environment? – Green Prophet

Letters: Attack on Planned Parenthood unwarranted – Appleton Post Crescent

Free family planning service benefits thousands – Republica

Restore funding for family planning; it’s a matter of health – The Star-Ledger – NJ.com

Democrats Try To Reverse Cuts To Family Planning Programs – NJ TODAY

Childless by choice – Salon

Silence Still Equals Death – Huffington Post

Bar operators launch STI/HIV/AIDS Prevention Project – Ghana News Agency

Obama urges all Americans to get tested for AIDS/HIV – CCN News Online

Assam proposes cancer vaccines for class IX girl students – Samachar Today

NY forum tackles women’s problems worldwide: sexual exploitation, HIV-positive … – The Canadian Press

Oh, Canada! Good News for Mothers Around the World – Babble

G20 split on stimulus but united on maternal health  – CTV.ca

The New Abortion Wars – CounterPunch

June 26, 2010

National abortion foes strategize to oust backers of reform – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Letter: Feingold is pro-abortion – Herald Times Reporter

The Bishops’ Fig Leaf  – Huffington Post

Proponents and Opponents of Bill to Update New York Abortion Law Step up …  – WGRZ-TV

Retired educator has spent 20 years battling abortion – Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Kagan Hearings Help Interest Groups Raise Money, Rally Support – BusinessWeek

Abortion foes, gun fans seek a place at Texas Democratic convention – Dallas Morning News

Research deals blow to anti-abortion lobby – ABC Online

Challenge of remote abortion pill system – Chicago Tribune

Unborn baby cannot feel pain before abortion limit: report – Telegraph.co.uk

What abortion fight? – Globe and Mail

Speaker for Life – National Review Online

Republicans to push for expansion of Hyde Amendment – The Hill

Boehner to press bill to enforce Obama’s order on abortion funding  – The Hill

Abortion hotline in Pakistan faces violent opposition – Independent

Republican Leader Boehner Gets Pro-Life Award for Opposing Pro-Abortion Health … – LifeNews.com

Paul Vallely: Better an abortion than a mass grave? – Independent

Kagan on Life: As Radical as They Come – FOXNews

Lawmaker promises pro-life bill – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Pill, Over the Counter? – New York Times

Boy preference lingers, alarming imbalance in central Vietnam – VietNamNet Bridge

Changes to Guidelines for Contraceptive Use Could Compromise a Woman’s Ability … – Health News – HealthCanal.com

CDC has contraception advice for some ill women – Southeast Missourian

State media gets down to rescuing dying mothers – Daily Times

June 27, 2010

Abortion in Wales a ‘postcode lottery’ – WalesOnline

Abortion debate rages on and on – Evansville Courier & Press

Anti-abortion activists predict legislative gains – Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Bishops conference clarifies abortion stance – Arizona Republic

Kagan: Past writings on abortion could be flashpoint issue – CNN

Abortion trial without precedent – The Australian

CRR Legal Analysis of Kagan’s Abortion Rights Record – Docuticker

Experts question challenge to Neb. abortion ban – Action 3 News

Republicans to launch new push for federal restrictions on abortion funding – The Hill

Experts question challenge to Neb. abortion ban – Beatrice Daily Sun

Obama high court pick to face Senate – AFP

Study Finds Questioning of Nominees to Be Useful – New York Times

Anti-abortion group backs Childers for MS-01 – Yall Politics

Blood test may be able to predict menopause – CNN

HIV: focus on children – Times LIVE

Blood test to predict fertility loss – ABC Online

Nation celebrates HIV Testing Day – News14.com

National HIV testing day was Sunday – KRCG

For Inmates, HIV Testing Should Make an Impact – New York Times

Canada Calls for Billions More In G8 Aid For Maternal Health – Voice of America

Maternal mortality rate declines in Iran: UN – Tehran Times

The high cost of caesareans – Boston Globe

June 28, 2010

Recession causes more Irish women to turn to abortion – Irish Central

More questions for nominee Elena Kagan – Washington Post

Palin’s Stanislaus visit shows political power – San Francisco Chronicle

All women have a voice –             MiamiHerald.com

Kagan must explain abortion stance – Politico

Factbox: Kagan will face questions on host of issues – Reuters

Scientists invent first male contraceptive pill – Telegraph.co.uk

Women’s health initiative fails to inspire – Ottawa Citizen

HIV incidence rise among Asian women – Times LIVE

Pastor Takes HIV Test In Front Of Congregation – WSB Atlanta

Blood Test Predicts Menopause Say Scientists – Medical News Today