St. Louis - March 16, 2009 - Missourians United for Life today praised five members of Missouri's Congressional delegation for standing up for life and committing to fight the ill-named "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA) which would undo state laws protecting innocent life including reversing the ban on partial-birth abortion. Congressman Roy Blunt, Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, Congressman Sam Graves, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer and Congressman Todd Akin each signed MUL's anti-FOCA pledge.
"Missourians United for Life commends Congressman Blunt, Congresswoman Emerson, Congressman Graves, Congressman Luetkemeyer and Congressman Akin for standing up for life and rejecting radical legislation that would reverse pro-life protections in Missouri and other states," said Ed Martin, President of Missourians United for Life. "We are urging pro-life Missourians to contact these members and thank them for taking a stand for life."
Blunt, Emerson, Graves, Luetkemeyer and Akin signed the following Congressional Pledge for Life issued by MUL:
I oppose the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), because:
- FOCA is a radical attempt to enshrine abortion-on-demand into American law;
- FOCA will do away with existing, pro-life protections in Missouri including the ban on partial-birth abortion;
- FOCA will force faith-based hospitals and health care facilities to perform abortions.
- FOCA will compel taxpayer funding of abortion.
- FOCA will prevent Missouri and other states from enacting protective measures in the future.
Missourians United for Life sent the pledge to all nine Missouri members of the U.S. House and both U.S. Senators.
"This dangerous legislation would do away with state laws protecting life including parental involvement, Missouri's ban on partial-birth abortion and other protections for innocent lives and their mothers," wrote MUL's President Ed Martin, Dr. Bob Onder, a founding advisor of MUL, and well-known women's activist Bev Ehlen, in a February 23 letter to Missouri's Congressional delegation.
Pro-Abortion President Barack Obama has pledged to sign the ill-named FOCA as soon as pro-abortion liberals in the U.S. House and Senate send a bill to his desk. In a speech before Planned Parenthood on July 17, 2007, Obama said "The first thing I'd do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing I'd do." The video of Barack Obama?s statement can be viewed on the homepage of Missourians United for Life.
In addition to the actions of Congressman Blunt, Congresswoman Emerson, Congressman Graves, Congressman Luetkemeyer and Congressman Akin, the Missouri House has taken steps to fight FOCA.
On February 11, 2009, the Missouri House approved a resolution urging the Congress to reject the FOCA. The resolution passed with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 116-40.
Missouri citizens who wish to sign their own petition against the FOCA or learn more about Missourians United for Life can do so by logging on to http://www.MissouriansUnitedforLife.com