Abortion

A leading abortion-rights group denounced a new spending bill from the House GOP that defunds the healthcare law and includes several anti-abortion riders.

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the bill exemplifies "anti-choice" leaders' "War on Women."

"These attacks on women’s freedom and privacy are way out of touch with our nation’s values and priorities," Keenan said in a statement.

Planned Parenthood is suing Arizona over a new state law barring the group from contracting with Medicaid because it provides abortions.

The law, championed by social conservatives, goes into effect on Aug. 2. Planned Parenthood says it will deprive thousands of low-income women from receiving care at their preferred medical provider.

"The men and women of this state have the right to see the healthcare provider they deem is best for them," said Bryan Howard, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona. "It is wrong for the state to tell Arizonans who they can and cannot see for their healthcare."

The Susan B. Anthony List, a leading anti-abortion political action committee, called Condoleezza Rice an "unqualified candidate" to be Mitt Romney's running mate because she supports abortion rights.

"Former Secretary Rice's position on the sanctity of human life makes her an unqualified candidate for Governor Romney to choose as a running mate," SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) slammed Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) and other GOP lawmakers for supporting a new bill that would limit abortion rights in Washington, D.C.

The House Judiciary Committee was scheduled to mark up Franks's bill, H.R. 3803, on Tuesday morning. The measure would criminalize abortions after 20 weeks in the District because, Republicans argue, some research suggests that fetuses can feel pain at that point.

NOW President Terry O'Neill called the bill a "clear strike in the ongoing War on Women."

Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) is urging support for a Michigan lawmaker who was barred from speaking on the state House floor after using the word "vagina" in an abortion debate. 

Republicans' one-day gag order against state Rep. Lisa Brown (D) prompted a nationwide backlash as Democrats continue to charge that the GOP is engaged in a "war on women."

Peters grabbed attention for joining a petition in support of Brown and her colleague, Barb Byrum (D), who was also denied the right to speak after using the word "vasectomy." 

Planned Parenthood slammed Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) over a controversial abortion law after he was selected for a prominent role in creating the GOP's national platform.

The attack centered on Virginia's new requirement that women have ultrasounds before they get abortions, and could be a sign of things to come if McDonnell joins the Republican presidential ticket.

The prospective vice presidential contender has a "deeply troubling record on women's health," said Cecile Richards, president of the family planning group's political arm, Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Reid warned Republican leaders to prevent Paul from offering unrelated amendments or risk having the flood bill delayed.

Controversy over the Obama administration's birth-control coverage mandate could see renewed attention in the coming weeks, as Catholic bishops prepare to launch a two-week campaign to motivate and unite those who oppose the policy. The so-called "Fortnight for Freedom" will begin Thursday, heralded by a nationwide ad against the mandate to air on Fox News. The Catholic Association, the lay group behind the ad, will also continue its campaign online. As of Tuesday afternoon, its Facebook page had more than 70,000 "likes," reflecting a recent spike in interest, according to the group.

As those efforts continue, advocates with Catholics for Choice noted that thousands have submitted comments to the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department in support of the mandate. The group filed its own 12-page statement on Tuesday, which cited a poll showing that a strong majority of Catholics believe private insurance plans should cover birth control. The comments also touched on an issue central to the debate — the difference in how supporters and objectors view moral choices.

"Religious freedom protections extend to one's personal religious beliefs and practices, but they do not give individuals or entire institutions license to obstruct or coerce the exercise of another's conscience," Catholics for Choice wrote to HHS. "Rather than prioritizing ... what institutions are granted exemptions, we ask that you prioritize the human impact of these exemptions and respect the consciences and religious freedom of all individual employees."

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Federal health officials are apparently heeding new doubts that emergency contraception actually scuttles pregnancies.

Controversy over the Obama administration's birth-control coverage mandate might have fallen from the headlines, but it was at the top of the agenda at a meeting of U.S. Catholic bishops in Atlanta this week. The gathering, led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, resulted in the passage of a statement that repeated the Catholic hierarchy's objection to the mandate — that it violates the religious freedom of Catholics who object to birth control or consider some forms tantamount to abortion.

"For decades, the Bishops have led the fight against such government incursions on conscience, particularly in the area of healthcare," the statement reads. "Far from making us waver in this longstanding commitment, the unprecedented magnitude of this latest threat has only strengthened our resolve to maintain that consistent view."

The meeting came as Catholic dioceses announced that they would hold a special series of events from June 21 to July 4 to promote, in part, activism against the mandate. The bishops' assembly discussed the plans, which include distributing yard signs and car magnets, and how to "bring about unity" in the church, in the words of William E. Lori, the archbishop of Baltimore. The group also mentioned cases against the mandate.

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