"I'm not perfect, but I'm worth it."

Chet McDoniel, a man born with no arms, addressed the National Right to Life Convention yesterday, taking about the value of every single human being. "I’m not perfect, but I’m worth it."

The third child born to his parents, Chet was “given the opportunity to die” by one of the hospital professionals after he was born, due to concern that he may be “as mangled on the inside” as he “was on the outside.”  Chet’s condition was not borne of any discernible genetic disorder, and as he points out, although his parents didn’t initially know what to do with a child with no arms, they loved him and they would have certainly chose life for him even if they would have known of his condition before facing the shock of it in the delivery room, his story could have been so different.

“The treatment for an adverse pregnancy is abortion….I wouldn’t have made it past the first sonogram,”  Chet shared, as he talked about how the world today treats children in the womb with suspected abnormalities.

 

FULL STORY

Prolife legislators in Texas will attempt to pass prolife law in special session

Late Tuesday night, an angry mob of abortion advocates disrupted the proceedings of the Texas legislature and prevented the legislators from taking a vote on prolife legislation in the allowable time.  Governor Rick Perry has now called for a second special session to pass the prolife bill.

Perry said the Legislature would convene July 1 in special session to take up the abortion bill, which was declared dead before dawn Wednesday. The bill failed after a night of drama in Austin during which a lone lawmaker talked for more than 10 hours in an attempt to run out the clock on a special session.

Chants of "shame! shame! shame!" from spectators who had filled the building drowned out the efforts of Republican lawmakers as they tried to pass it minutes before midnight.

"We will not allow the breakdown of decorum and decency to prevent us from doing what the people of this state hired us to do," Perry said in a statement calling lawmakers back into another special session. Texans "value life and want to protect women and the unborn," he said.....

The bill would have banned most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and tightened standards on abortion clinics and the doctors who work at them. Critics said the measure would have shut most of the abortion clinics in Texas.

FULL STORY

Abortion advocates in Texas use mob behavior to prevent a prolife bill from passing in time

TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News

SB 5 would have required abortion clinics in Texas to be surgical centers and would have banned abortions after 20 weeks.  Instead of being willing to comply with the higher standards, abortion proponents worked overtime to stop the legislation. 

In an attempt to stop the bill from being voted on, pro-abortion state senator Wendy Davis filibustered the bill for more than 10 hours.  Her filibuster was ended when she began talking about issues not in the legislation.  Once her filibuster was ended, a vote was called on the legislation but the deadline on the vote was missed because of the chaos created by a mob of abortion advocates. 

Chaos reigned in the final minutes of the Texas Senate late Tuesday night as opponents of a strict abortion bill succeeded in killing the measure, using a sprawling Democrat-led filibuster, egged on by noisy "unruly mob" protests, to blunt last-ditch efforts by Republicans to save the legislation.......

Republicans initially succeeded in cutting her filibuster off, in part by objecting when another lawmaker helped her with a back brace. But protesters picked up where she left off, jeering at lawmakers as they rushed to meet a midnight deadline for the bill......

After much back and forth, the GOP voted to end the filibuster minutes before midnight, sparking the raucous response from protesters in the final 15 minutes before the deadline.

   
FULL STORY

Abortion advocates don't understand why women would be prolife

Some abortion advocates are mad that prolife women took a visible leadership role in passing prolife legislation. They might be surprised to find out most women don't agree with them. According to the 2013 Gallup poll on abortion, 57% of women believe abortion should illegal or legal in only a few circumstances, along with 59% of men. 

Only 28% of women agree with abortion advocates that abortion should be legal in every circumstance. 

Michigan is losing 12,000 girls a year to abortion when a majority of women don't agree with our nation's abortion policies.

On Saturday’s Melissa Harris-Perry show, host Harris-Perry called the rhetoric from abortion opponents “villainous” as she fretted over Tennessee Republican Representative Marsha Blackburn being a woman who is pushing a House bill banning abortion. 

And panel members Irin Carmon of Salon.com and Aisha Moodie-Mills of the left-wing Center for American Progress both saw “misgyny” in the measure.

FULL STORY

Participate in online training for petition circulating

NO Taxes for Abortion Insurance is offering online training for those interested in circulating petitions.

Learn why the petition drive to initiate Abortion Insurance Opt-Out legislation is critical for Michigan and get instructions on how to properly circulate petitions.

Together we can prevent federal tax dollars from subsidizing abortion insurance coverage in Michigan and send the message that abortion is not health care. 

 ONLINE TRAINING

"If they had a voice"

Watch this wonderful video from a father whose daughter has Down syndrome. The video is from the perspective of his daughter talking from the womb about her uncertain future and the "choice" her parents faced.

Teleseminar training for petition drive on June 24

If you missed one of the NO Taxes for Abortion Insurance regional trainings earlier this month or can't attend a local training, we're hosting an online training. This special online training will be Monday, June 24, at 7:30 p.m. Please forward this information to friends and family members who want to learn about circulating the Abortion Insurance Opt-Out petitions.

TELESEMINAR TRAINING  

MICHIGAN'S VOICE WEBSITE

Michigan Senate Committee approves legislation to stop judge shopping for parental consent waiver

On June 18, the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee approved, by a 3-1 vote, legislation designed to prevent minors seeking abortion without parental consent from "judge shopping." 

Minor girls who have been denied a judicial bypass at one court would not be permitted to seek a bypass at another county court. S.B. 254 also creates guidelines for judges in making a determination regarding the maturity of the girl seeking an abortion, and her best interests. These guidelines are consistent with the line of questioning recommended by the Michigan Benchbook, and include taking into consideration whether the minor girl’s parents have neglected or abused her.

Rebecca Mastee of the Michigan Catholic Council, in written testimony submitted to the committee, told lawmakers that SB 254 was a practical measure that should not be controversial.

"This legislation has no implication on whether or not a minor girl can acquire an abortion," she said, "but rather ensures that necessary safeguards are in place to both protect her and ensure that parental rights are maintained."

FULL STORY

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION

U.S. House approves Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

The U.S. House voted 228-196 to approve the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797) on Tuesday, June 18. The bill would ban abortions past 20 weeks of fetal development, based on evidence that unborn children at that stage of growth have the capacity to feel pain.

Nine Michigan representatives voted in favor of the late-term abortion ban: Rep. Dan Benishek, Rep. Bill Huizenga, Rep. Justin Amash, Rep. Dave Camp, Rep. Fred Upton, Rep. Tim Walberg, Rep. Mike Rogers, Rep. Candice Miller and Rep. Kerry Bentivolio.

Five Michigan representatives voted against the late-term abortion ban: Rep. Daniel Kildee, Rep. Sander Levin, Rep. John Dingell, Rep. John Conyers and Rep. Gary Peters.

The bill originally only included an exception in cases where the mother’s life was endangered by continuing the pregnancy. Unfortunately, the bill language was changed to include exceptions for rape and incest. Prolife attorney Rebecca Kiessling, herself conceived in rape, pointed out that people conceived in rape feel pain just like everyone else does.

Another version of the bill applied only to the District of Columbia, but following the Kermit Gosnell trial a federal version covering the whole country was introduced.

“The case of Kermit Gosnell shocked the sensibilities of millions of Americans,” bill sponsor Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) said. “However, the crushing fact is that abortions on babies just like the ones killed by Kermit Gosnell have been happening hundreds of times per day, every single day, for the past 40 years.”

The bill is unlikely to receive a vote in the U.S. Senate, where a majority of senators are pro-abortion. President Obama has threatened to veto the bill, claiming concern about the pain unborn children might feel during gruesome late-term abortion procedures “shows contempt” for women’s health. President Obama has consistently shown that he doesn't accept any legislation that regulates or restricts abortion, even very late-term abortions where unborn children feel pain or protection for infants born alive following botched abortions.

LIFENOTES ADDRESSING CHILDREN CONCEIVED IN RAPE

Obama threatens veto on late-term abortion ban

On Monday, the White House issued a statement which attacked a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of fetal age (or 22 weeks of gestation) and threaten a veto of it.  Here is part of the White House statement:

The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 1797, which would unacceptably restrict women's health and reproductive rights and is an assault on a woman's right to choose.  Women should be able to make their own choices about their bodies and their health care, and Government should not inject itself into decisions best made between a woman and her doctor.

Forty years ago, the Supreme Court affirmed a woman's constitutional right to privacy, including the right to choose.  This bill is a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade and shows contempt for women's health and rights, the role doctors play in their patients' health care decisions, and the Constitution.

Over and over again, President Obama has shown that he doesn't accept any legislation which restricts abortion, even very late-term abortions where unborn children feel pain. 

FULL STORY

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION

Prolife leader's perspective changed by prolife work in Michigan

The Catholic News Agency ran a story about how 40 Days for Life director David Bereit had his perspective changed by an abortion clinic in Grand Rapids that was converted into a prolife agency, LIFE International.

The building was rented in 1994 by an abortionist who turned it into “the largest abortion facility in western Michigan,” David Bereit told CNA on June 12.

The National Director of the 40 Days for Life campaign, Bereit learned the history of the building in 2004, during a visit which took place only days after the final abortions had been performed in the building.

“That experience taught me that with God, all things are possible,” even “reclaiming an abortion facility and helping it to become, once again, a place that honors God and protects and promotes life,” he said.

FULL STORY

Nancy Pelosi struggles to answer question on difference between late-term abortion and infanticide

During a press conference today, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi struggled to answer a question regarding the moral difference between killing a child in the womb at 23-28 weeks compared to Kermit Gosnell's actions of killing children the same age who survived abortion.

“O.K. You’re probably enjoying that question a lot. I can see you savoring it,” Pelosi said, in scathing tones, prompting a chorus of laughter from some members of the Congressional press corps. “Let me just tell you this. What was done in Philadelphia was reprehensible, and everybody condemned it. For them to decide to disrespect a judgment a woman makes about her reproductive health is reprehensible.”

Pelosi then tried to move on, asking reporters for the “next question.”

But McCormack jumped in and continued pressing Pelosi to explain the moral difference “between 26 weeks, selective abortion, and the killing of that same infant born alive.”

“This is not the issue. They are saying that there’s no abortion. They want to make it a federal law that there’ll be no abortion in our country,” Pelosi retorted. “You’re taking the extreme case. You’re taking the extreme case. And what I’m saying to you is what happened in Philadelphia was reprehensible.”

Pelosi, a pro-abortion politician who favors tax-funded abortion and opposed bans on partial-birth abortion, then went on to make an incredibly bizarre claim that talking about abortion is "sacred ground" and "shouldn't have anything to do with politics."

“I want to tell you something. As a mother of five children — my oldest child is six years old the day I brought my fifth child home from the hospital — as a practicing and respectful Catholic, this is sacred ground to me when we talk about this,” she continued. “I don’t think it should have anything to do with politics and that’s where you’re taking it, and I’m not going there.”

FULL STORY

U.S. House Judiciary Committee passes approves Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Yesterday, by a vote of 20-12, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee approved the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.  The full U.S. House will likely vote on the legislation next week.  The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would provide protection to unborn children who are capable of feeling pain, starting at 20 weeks of fetal age.

H.R. 1797 is sponsored by Congressman Trent Franks (R-Az). At today’s committee session, weakening amendments were rejected on straight party-line votes. On the vote to favorably report the bill to the full House, the Republicans on the committee were joined by one Democrat, Pedro Pierluisi, who represents Puerto Rico.

”Because of publicity surrounding the trial of Kermit Gosnell and subsequent revelations about other abortionists, many Americans are becoming aware for the first time that abortions are frequently performed late in pregnancy on babies who are capable of being born alive, and on babies who will experience great pain while being killed,” said NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson. “This is the most significant single piece of pro-life legislation to come before the House since the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.”

FULL STORY

IRS caught on tape warning prolife organization about "forcing beliefs"

The prolife law firm the Alliance Defending Freedom has released an audio tape of a conversation one of their clients had with an IRS agent.  During the conversation, the IRS agent lectures the president of the prolife organization Pro-Life Revolution about forcing her religion and beliefs on others.  It took Pro-Life Revolution more than two years to receive tax-exempt status. 

ADF tells LifeNews that, in January 2011, Pro-Life Revolution, which operates from Texas under all three purposes for whcih religious groups can obtain nonprofit status, filed an application for tax-exempt status with the IRS. Four months later, the IRS sent a letter requesting “more information” and an explanation of how the organization’s activities are educational or charitable even though IRS rules specify that an organization need only operate for “one or more” of the three exempt purposes. President of Pro-Life Revolution Ania Joseph nonetheless replied and answered the IRS’s questions.

ADF indicates Joseph received a call from IRS Exempt Organization Specialist Sherry Wan in March 2012.

Wan told her that, in order to obtain a tax exemption, “You cannot force your religion or force your beliefs on somebody else…. You have to know your boundaries. You have to know your limits. You have to respect other people’s beliefs.”

FULL STORY

U.S. House to vote on protecting pain-capable children next week

The leadership of the U.S. House plans to bring up the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act for a vote during the week of June 17. 

The bill (H.R. 1797) would prohibit abortion after 20 weeks fetal age based on compelling scientific evidence that by 20 weeks (if not earlier), the unborn child is capable of experiencing excruciating pain while being aborted.

Pro-abortion groups and their allies in Congress have made it clear that they intend to try to delay, obstruct, and defeat this bill.  Please contact your congressman or congresswomen and urge them to support H.R. 1797 and to oppose all weakening amendments.

FIND YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION 

Pennsylvania will join states opting out of abortion coverage

A spokeswoman for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett indicated he would sign legislation to opt the state of Pennsylvania out of paying for abortions through insurance exchanges.  The bill also prevents private insurance plans from covering abortion. 

The state Senate on Wednesday voted 31-19 to approve House Bill 818, which prohibits insurance policies offered through Pennsylvania’s upcoming health-care insurance exchanges from offering abortion coverage. The bill, which already passed in the House, goes to Gov. Tom Corbett.

Christine Cronkright, a spokeswoman for Corbett, said the governor will sign the bill.

FULL STORY

In Michigan, a petition drive is currently underway to prevent insurance plans from covering abortion in public and private plans.  Learn more about our efforts in Michigan to opt-out of insurance coverage at the web site of NO Taxes for Abortion Insurance. 

Super Bowl champ skips White House celebration over Obama's comments to Planned Parenthood

Matt Birk, who played center for the Baltimore Ravens, declined to attend a White House celebration of their Super Bowl championship last season. He said he didn't support the President's praise of Planned Parenthood, an organization that has ended the lives of millions of unborn children.

“I have great respect for the office of the presidency but about five or six weeks ago, our president made a comment in a speech and he said, ‘God bless Planned Parenthood,’” Birk, a former Minnesota Viking, told a local Minnesota sports blog. “I’m very confused by [Obama's] statement,” he explained. “For God to bless a place where they’re ending 330,000 lives a year? I just chose not to attend.”

Birk said he’s a pro-life Roman Catholic. “Planned Parenthood performs about 330,000 abortions a year,” he said. “I couldn’t endorse that in any way.”

FULL STORY

LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S ABORTION AGENDA

German child successfully treated with stem cells from his own cord blood

Ethical stem cells from his own umbilical cord blood have helped a German child previously in a persistent coma to walk and talk.

Following a cardiac arrest with severe brain damage, a 2.5 year old boy had been in a persistent vegetative state -- with minimal chances of survival. Just two months after treatment with the cord blood containing stem cells, the symptoms improved significantly; over the following months, the child learned to speak simple sentences and to move.....

After the cord blood therapy, the patient, however, recovered relatively quickly. Within two months, the spasticity decreased significantly. He was able to see, sit, smile, and to speak simple words again. Forty months after treatment, the child was able to eat independently, walk with assistance, and form four-word sentences. "Of course, on the basis of these results, we cannot clearly say what the cause of the recovery is," Jensen says. "It is, however, very difficult to explain these remarkable effects by purely symptomatic treatment during active rehabilitation."

FULL STORY

Equipment from Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic shown to public

The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office recently released a video which shows blood stained equipment used by abortionist and convicted murderer Kermit Gosnell.

In a video recorded by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, several pieces of the equipment were put on display – with the largest item being one of the clinic’s examination tables.

Stained and tattered, the table still had sanitary paper and stirrups attached. Prosecutors said the table would regularly be used for abortion procedures and that former employees said dried blood would often be caked to the medical equipment.

A garbage disposal taken from the clinic’s break room was set on top of a storage drawer. Taggart said investigators learned the employees would dispose of fetal remains in the sink and use the disposal to move them down the drain. Human bones were found inside the appliance, prosecutors said.

 FULL STORY

Meet Celeste, beautiful girl born at 22 weeks who survived for 3 hours after birth

Celeste being held by her father

LifeSite News has the story of a beautiful girl named Celeste and her family.  Celeste was born prematurely at 22 weeks and survived for 3 hours.  During that time, the family was able to express their love for her.

They invited everyone in the room to meet Celeste. I saw a glimpse of the small and beautiful child and was awestruck by the love Corinna and Kemi were giving her. They were whispering sweet words in her ear and were looking at each other expressing their love for one another. Their affection was palpable! They loved Celeste, caressed her small body, all the while comforting one another knowing what was to come. They invited a photographer to come and take family photos to capture their time together. Their other daughter, Evie, who is almost one year old, joined them for the pictures.

FULL STORY

Petitions are in!

Petitions are printed and have arrived! We'll be sending out petitions to those who ordered them ASAP. 

You can volunteer to circulate petitions through the Michigan's Voice website. Help keep our tax dollars and health insurance premiums from paying for abortions. Sign the petition, make your voice heard!

Prolife congresswoman shares sad news about her unborn child

Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) recently shared on Facebook that her unborn child has been diagnosed with Potter's Syndrome, a condition which prevents the child's kidneys from developing properly and is typically fatal to the child. 

“We don’t know what the future holds for our family, but we ask for your prayers and appreciate the privacy a family needs in such circumstances,” Herrera Beutler wrote. “According to the medical information and advice we’ve received, I will be able to continue to balance the responsibilities of an expectant mother with serving as your representative in Congress.”

On May 1, Herrera Beutler, 34, announced that she and her husband, Daniel Beutler, were expecting their first baby this fall. The couple married in August 2009 and lives in Camas.

Remember Representative Herrera Beutler, her child and her family in your prayers. 

FULL STORY

Father's Day Bulletin Inserts: Fatherhood is love

Father's Day is Sunday, June 16.

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate fathers with these 5.5" x 8.5" full color glossy Fatherhood is Love bulletin inserts. On the front, the text reads:

"God our Father, we ask your grace on all those to whom you have entrusted fatherhood. May they be inspired with your justice and mercy, wisdom and strength, fidelity and self-giving love. May they receive your abundant blessings in this earthly life, and may they look forward to eternal joy."

Take a closer look and read the heart-warming prayer for all fathers on the back. Place your order today. Supplies are limited.

7¢ each CLICK TO ORDER

Real Prolife Story: Promoting adoption at the edge of the abyss

Our latest Real Prolife Story is about Mike Frison.  Mike volunteers one morning every week to offer help with adoption in front of an abortion clinic. He has adoptive parents on call. 

“It’s a little like standing at the edge of an abyss,” he said.

The abyss is abortion, and Mike strives to convince women not to fall into it. He stands at the edge of it in front of the Planned Parenthood in Ann Arbor from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Thursdays, the one day of the week they perform abortions. He said he began this work four years ago after feeling challenged by the local 40 Days for Life coordinator Paul Dobrowolski. More than praying in front of their office during 40 Days for Life campaigns, Mike felt called to actively promote the loving option of adoption.

FULL STORY

Two Maryland abortionists have licenses suspended after woman dies

The state of Maryland has suspended the medical licenses of abortionists Iris Dominy and Mansour Panah.  A woman who received an abortion from Dominy was left unattended and stopped breathing.  The woman died two days later. 

Dominy is accused of “failing to perform surgical abortion services in a safe manner” and of “failing to develop appropriate post-anesthesia procedures and protocols.” She also used unlicensed, unqualified workers to evaluate patients, perform and interpret ultrasounds, and dispense Misoprostol, a drug that causes strong, unpredictable uterine contractions, all without her presence at the abortion clinic.

Panah was accused of allowing abortions to be started by unlicensed, unqualified workers at a facility that was not equipped to complete the abortion. Patient A was seen by an unqualified worker with no competency in ultrasounds. There were multiple gestational ages estimated from the incompetently performed ultrasounds in the patient’s file. The worker none-the-less administered misoprostol to the patient to begin her abortion without a physician present. Later, the abortionist turned the woman away even though her abortion had been started because she was carrying twins and her uterus was the size of a 22 week pregnancy. Because Panah was the Medical Director, it was determined that he posed a danger to the public.

FULL STORY