First Sebelius Hearing Generates More Questions than Answers on Abortion Policy
by Staff
April 6, 2009
WASHINGTON, (christiansunite.com) -- In response to today's first Senate confirmation hearing, Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser expressed disappointment with the lack of information revealed about Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' stance on abortion:"Americans - and women in particular - deserve answers about Governor Sebelius' ties to the abortion industry. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sebelius will wield great influence with regard to national abortion policy, particularly the use of taxpayer funds to provide and promote abortion on-demand. Only Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) asked about her positions on protecting the conscience rights of medical providers and preserving the longstanding Hyde Amendment to prevent taxpayer funded abortion, and I thank him for his diligence. Unfortunately, Governor Sebelius' non-responses to these important matters left much to be desired.
"The governor's signature of right to know legislation in Kansas was appreciated, but it will not erase her long history of support for the abortion industry, the practice of late-term abortion, and her disregard for the trauma it inflicts upon women. Matters of great concern include her ties to infamous late-term abortionist George Tiller and her record of vetoing reasonable restrictions on abortion. Senators need to press Sebelius on why she vetoed legislation to clean up dirty abortion clinics, even after one Kansas clinic was exposed for storing fetal remains in the same refrigerator as food.
"Fortunately there is still time. Sebelius' history of opposition to these commonsense abortion restrictions and her potential role in overseeing taxpayer-funded abortion need not remain unquestioned. She already dodged one question about the Hyde Amendment, but Senators should press on. Taxpayers care about her answer and deserve to know whether their hard-earned money will be used to finance abortions. I urge members of the Senate Finance Committee to ask tough questions about Sebelius' support for the abortion agenda at this Thursday's hearing."
Over 16,000 Susan B. Anthony List activists have sent letters to their Senators, urging opposition to the Sebelius nomination. Sebelius testified before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today and is scheduled to appear before the Finance Committee on Thursday, April 2.
As governor, Sebelius vetoed the Comprehensive Abortion Reform Act, legislation to implement restrictions on late-term abortion procedures. She also vetoed legislation requiring explicit medical reasons for late-term abortions, legislation requiring abortion providers to report the diagnosis or the nature of the condition which necessitated a post- viability abortion, among other legislation.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 154,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
