Week in Review – The three most dangerous bills in the Senate
After coming back from its Spring recess, Congress is trying to pass a number of troublesome bills. The House has already passed most of them and the battle is now in the Senate. Currently, the Senate is evenly split by party. There are 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats/Independents. In case of a tie vote, vice-president Kamala Harris (a pro-abort Democrat) would cast the deciding vote.
The potential saving factor in the Senate is the Filibuster Rule. The Senate website says this about the Filibuster Rule:
“The Senate tradition of unlimited debate has allowed for the use of the filibuster, a loosely defined term for action designed to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, resolution, amendment, or other debatable question. Prior to 1917 the Senate rules did not provide for a way to end debate and force a vote on a measure. That year, the Senate adopted a rule to allow a two-thirds majority to end a filibuster, a procedure known as “cloture.” In 1975 the Senate reduced the number of votes required for cloture from two-thirds of senators voting to three-fifths of all senators duly chosen and sworn, or 60 of the 100-member Senate.”
What this means is that either party can prevent a vote on any legislation (not funding bills or appointment confirmations) if they have 41 or more individuals who will vote against cloture. This offers some protection against a party that controls the House, Senate, and presidency from just changing everything. There has been some talk this year about doing away with the filibuster and there are mechanisms by which that can be done. But, right now, it appears there are not enough votes to change the Filibuster Rule.
That being said, it is extremely important that you take action by contacting your senators whenever a terrible bill is being considered. These three dangerous bills have passed the House and are currently in the Senate:
S. 1 – the For the People Act of 2021.
- This bill, among other things, is a federal takeover of every election in the United States. Individual states will no longer be in control of there own elections. The federal government will decide who can vote and who cannot. There are those who point out that this bill is so bad, there will never be a fair election in the country again.
S. 393 – the Equality Act. According to the official congressional website:
- This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system. Specifically, the bill defines and includes sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation.
- The bill expands the definition of public accommodations to include places or establishments that provide (1) exhibitions, recreation, exercise, amusement, gatherings, or displays; (2) goods, services, or programs; and (3) transportation services.
- The bill allows the Department of Justice to intervene in equal protection actions in federal court on account of sexual orientation or gender identity.
- The bill prohibits an individual from being denied access to a shared facility, including a restroom, a locker room, and a dressing room, that is in accordance with the individual’s gender identity.
H.J.Res.17 – Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment.
- This joint resolution eliminates the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, which prohibits discrimination based on sex. The amendment was proposed to the states in House Joint Resolution 208 of the 92nd Congress, as agreed to in the Senate on March 22, 1972. The amendment shall be part of the Constitution whenever ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.
The ERA failed to be ratified in the 70s in part because it would have opened the flood gates for abortions. Even Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said before her death that the bill is unconstitutional. But, when they have control, Democrats will try anything.
All three of these bills have passed the House and Biden has said he would sign them. They MUST be stopped in the Senate.
Tell your senators you want these bills filibustered and/or defeated.
ALL in the News – Marian Blue Wave Program Releases a Special Video Announcement
This week, American Life League’s Marian Blue Wave program released a special video announcement accompanied by a press release. The program announced a new initiative where it will now ask its thousands of prayer partners to pray each month for the closure of the 34 mega Planned Parenthood sites in 18 states. In May, the MBW will pray for the closure of the five mega facilities in Texas, along with the usual MBW intentions. In June, the program will move on to praying for another state, and then again in July, until all 18 states with mega facilities have been prayed for. To join the MBW and this new initiative, click here.
Every Friday afternoon, the American Life League social media team, Dwain Currier and Katie Brown, host the Friday Live Show on Instagram Live. Last week, the duo discussed the importance of “dating pro-life”
as well as the question of the week, and a bizarre tweet from the group Catholic for Choice. The show regularly discusses current events and provides young adults a platform where they can have their culture of life questions answered. Replays of the show can be found on Facebook.
Twice a week, Judie Brown’s commentaries are distributed to an expansive media list. The list contains over 100 media outlets such as Fox News, The Federalist, Breitbart, and The Daily Caller, among others. Judie’s Tuesday commentary, Jesus Christ Is TRULY PRESENT, Bishop McElroy!, was featured on the front page of ALL.org. Each commentary is also featured as a part of Judie’s recurring column on Renew America.
Jim Sedlak’s Pro-Life Activism from Creation to Death is a weekly talk-radio program on the Radio Maria USA network. The show can be heard live every Friday at noon (Eastern Time) and is repeated on Saturdays (10 PM).
Video of the Week – Again with the Heresy
Once more, Catholics for Choice is leading souls to the depths of darkness. Last week, it sent out the message that killing your preborn child doesn’t separate you from God because, well, it’s a mother’s choice—much like choosing ham for Christmas dinner rather than turkey.
Action Item of the Week – Comment period ends this Monday, May 17, 2021
The Biden administration is trying to change the Protect Life Rule for Title X family planning grants. The Protect Life Rule was put in place by President Trump and, among other things, made any organization or individual who uses abortion as a means of family planning ineligible for Title X funds. It further stipulated that organizations receiving Title X funds had to be physically and financially separated from an abortion provider. Planned Parenthood refused to obey the regulations and withdrew from Title X. It was estimated at the time that Planned Parenthood’s withdrawal would cost it a loss of about $60 million.
Now, the Biden administration is trying to do away with the Protect Life Rule and return to providing Title X funds to those that commit abortions. The new regulations will:
- Make pro-abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood eligible for Title X family planning funds again.
- Mandate that all funding recipients refer patients for abortions (ignoring federal laws that protect the consciences of health care providers).
- Require that grantees and their materials emphasize LGBT outreach and services in the name of inclusivity (this may further preclude faith-based providers from participating in the program).
The procedure for changing the law requires a comment period where Americans can submit their approval of, or concerns about, the proposed regulations. The comment period ends this coming Monday, May 17, 2021. We encourage all of our readers to go to the government website and submit comments opposing the change in regulations.
You can submit comments, identified by Regulatory Information Number 0937-AA11, by going to the Federal eRulemaking portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Enter 0937-AA11 in the “Enter Keyword or ID” field and click on “Search.” On the next web page, click on “Submit a Comment” and follow the instructions.
The federal government is required to review all submitted comments before deciding on the action that will be taken on the proposed new regulation.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD TODAY!
Pro-life Social Media – Catholic Media Finally Getting on Board with Canon Law 915
It’s fascinating what mainstream Catholic media will report these days.
Over 20 ago, American Life League began publishing its “Dirty Dozen” ads listing 12 pro-abortion politicians guilty of fraudulently claiming the Catholic faith. The ads served to remind bishops of their obligation to enforce Canon Law 915, which requires the withholding of Holy Communion from notorious, pro-abortion public figures. Over the years, ALL would run these full-page ads in major newspapers, including the Washington Times. Online outlets like Catholic Exchange and the National Catholic Register would cover the story, but you wouldn’t find any mention of it from behemoths like EWTN or the USCCB.
It wasn’t until a self-proclaimed Catholic began occupying the White House that the matter of worthiness to receive Holy Communion finally reached primetime.
Should Catholic U.S. lawmakers who vote for pro-abortion legislation, be denied communion? The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was considering it. But the Vatican warns U.S. Bishops about denying communion. I asked Speaker Nancy Pelosi about it?@EWTNNewsNightly pic.twitter.com/tzqluaKtLf
— Erik Rosales (@ErikRosalesNews) May 13, 2021
The fact that the USCCB once considered discussing it tells us more about the USCCB than about the pro-abortion politicians. Why is the enforcement of canon law up for “consideration”? Is a committee required to discuss the worthiness of same-sex couples to receive the sacrament of marriage? Catholic teaching is clear. It isn’t up for democratic vote.
The real story you’re missing is, “Why was the USCCB ‘considering’ a position that is already explicit in Canon Law?”
— American Life League (@AmerLifeLeague) May 13, 2021
Instructing priests to deny Holy Communion means losing favorability by the powerful pro-abortion lawmakers who reside in their jurisdictions. Many US bishops want to be comfortable rather than convicted. Fear of media retaliation rather than fear of lost souls is what motivates some of these sad shepherds. Mainstream outlets are also grabbing onto the story.
Catholic bishops at odds over Pres. Biden receiving Communion. https://t.co/rgAavJiqU1
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) May 11, 2021
They shouldn’t be.
There is division among the bishops, with some pressing for Biden and other Catholic public figures to be excluded from Communion over their abortion stance, and other bishops warning that such a move would be politically polarizing.https://t.co/NmX0lKDEas
— KOKH FOX 25 (@OKCFOX) May 11, 2021
“Politically polarizing” should not be on any bishop’s radar. Souls come first. Politics belongs to the devil.
We’re glad to see the matter of Canon Law 915 being pushed into the spotlight, despite American Life League reminding the faithful this was an urgent matter two decades ago. Let’s pray that more faithful bishops will do the right and holy thing, rather than the practical and comfortable thing.
