PA Delegation Supports MORE Limitations on Abortion Rights
Day by day, the lawmakers of this nation are chipping away at women’s rights in this country, and yes, that in part, means limiting abortion and funding for abortion. They should all be ashamed of themselves. As a woman from Pennsylvania, I am saddened, disgusted and truly worried about the state of women’s healthcare in the Keystone state.
H.R. 3, called the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act, prohibits the expenditure of funding authorized or appropriated by federal law for any abortion. That’s right. ANY abortion. This will basically turn the Hyde amendment (A disgusting piece of legislature that bars the use of certain federal funds to to pay for abortions. It was not a permanent law, rather a “rider” that had been attached to annual appropriations bills since 1976.) In essence, this H.R. 3 nonsense would turn the Hyde Amendment into PERMANENT law.
In a statement in which Representative Tom Marino brags about his misogynistic and misguided bill, he states that, “Instead of relying on the whims of the annual appropriations process or any easily revocable order by the President, it is time to put into law the prohibition against using taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions.”
Interestingly enough, the bill also withholds health care subsidies for insurers that cover abortions. This in turn, will lead to an indirect ban on all abortions in the state of Pennsylvania, which will, of course, only lead to an increase in poverty amongst the most vulnerable of Pennsylvanian women and deny women who choose private insurers the right to use their insurance as they see fit.
Rep. Mike Doyle, believes the bill goes too far and voted against H.R. 3.
“I oppose abortion and I oppose federal funding for abortion--but federal law already prohibits the use of federal funding for abortion. This is a huge step beyond restricting federal funding for abortion--it would limit how Americans spend their OWN money and deny women access to a full range of health care services, and I can’t support that. That is why I voted against H.R. 3.”
While I applaud Doyle for standing against this insanity, I don’t understand how he can be so hypocritical in claiming to stand with women this respect, and yet deny them federal funding for abortion at the same time.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee criticized votes in favor of this bill by Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick and Pat Meehan.
“In their zeal to restrict women’s health care, today he voted to place new restrictions on how women with private insurance can spend private dollars in purchasing their won health insurance. This is yet another example that [Fitzpatrick and Meehan]’s agenda is about advancing right-wing social issues rather than creating jobs.”
Why are they so fixated on an issue that really doesn’t even concern them? And, this is clearly a war on poor women, as well, who don’t have the ability to buy private insurance, which as we all know, is costing Americans an exorbitant amount of money each year.
I am truly appalled by what is happening around the country and the constant attack on women’s health care. There are three wars raging, an economic crisis, rising education costs, and a lack of universal health care in this country, and this is what these clowns want to focus on? How will passing this law create jobs? How will passing this law create a better quality of life for those who are living? How will this job help students pay for their educations in hopes of having a better future for themselves? We are doing nothing but playing petty politics with women’s bodies, and I for one, am ashamed of Pennsylvania lawmakers for stooping so low.
Thoughts?
Are you as angry as I am? If you live in Pennsylvania, contact these legislators and give them a piece of your mind. I know I will!
I just tried to contact Mike Fitzpatrick, but he only accepts emails from people within the 8th District. But, here is his other info:
District Office
1717 Langhorne Newtown Rd. Suite 400
Langhorne, PA 19047
Phone: (215) 579-8102
Fax: (215) 579-8109
Washington Office
1224 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4276
Fax: (202) 225-9511
Here is Patrick Meehan’s Info (he also will not accept emails from outside of his district):
WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE
513 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2011
Fax: (202) 226-0280
SPRINGFIELD OFFICE
940 Sproul Road
Springfield, PA 19064
Phone: (610) 690-7323
Fax: (610) 690-7329
And, if you want to contact Doyle:
Washington, DC Office
Representative Mike Doyle
401 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2135
Fax: (202) 225-3084
Pittsburgh Office
Representative Mike Doyle
2637 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Phone: (412) 390-1499
Fax: (412) 390-2118
Penn Hills Office
Representative Mike Doyle
11 Duff Road
Penn Hills, PA 15235
Phone: (412) 241-6055
Fax: (412) 241-6820
McKeesport Office
Representative Mike Doyle
627 Lysle Boulevard
McKeesport, PA 15132
Phone: (412) 664-4049
Fax: (412) 664-4053
Coraopolis Office
Representative Mike Doyle
1350 Fifth Avenue
Coraopolis, PA 15108
Phone: (412) 264-3460
erikdolnack
In my experience, writing your local state Representative is often effective. They do respond. They are elected to listen to their constituents (you & I).
Write a short, brief, clearly-written letter that lets them know that you are unhappy with H.R.3. Women have the right to vote. Women’s voices are heeded today in society. This is a blatant attack on all women, regardless of age, race, religion or income level.
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Thank you for your comment, I have to agree wholeheartedly!