2012 Legislative Session Recap

The 2012 Missouri State Legislative Session is now in the history books!

Soon after the session began, HHS Director Kathleen Sebelius issued a mandate that all religious institutions would be required to cover abortion services, contraception and sterilization procedures beginning August 1. The issuance of this mandate by the Obama administration caused pro-life legislators to file a variety of legislation to protect Missouri citizens from this unconstitutional, immoral infringement of our religious liberties.

During the final hours of the session, the Missouri Legislature passed SB 749. While this legislation will not overturn the HHS mandate, it sends a strong message to Washington that Missouri will not tolerate this attack against our religious liberty. It also gives Missouri individuals, businesses and institutions standing in the courts to file suit if they oppose enforcement of this mandate and requires businesses to notify participants if any plan covers abortion.

SB 749 passed both chambers by a vote of twenty-eight out of 34 senators and 105 out of 163 state representatives.

The House version of the bill contained additional provisions strengthening conscience protections for pharmacists, medical professionals and researchers. However, this good language was opposed by Senate leadership and was cut out of the bill in conference committee.

Senate Republican leadership made a deal with pro-abortion Democrats that no other pro-life legislation would be passed if SB 749 was allowed to move forward killing many good pro-life bills. Trying to overcome and bypass this deal made in the Senate, pro-life amendments were placed on numerous bills in the last days and hours of this session.

Legislative victories in addition to SB749 include:

• Continued funding of the Alternatives to Abortion program with $1.6 million dollars which includes funding for advertising this important program so that women in crisis pregnancies know that there is help for them to choose life for their babies.

• Requiring the Missouri Technology Corporation to continue to abide by the pro-life protections of 196.1127 language that says that you cannot grant state monies to any business that intends to or will do human cloning, embryonic stem cell research or abortion services.

Many opportunities to save lives through legislation were left lying on the legislative calendar. Among others these include:

• Solid conscience protections for medical professionals and researchers,
• Ban on Tele-Med/Video Conferencing Abortions
• Multiple Versions of State’s Rights Bills Challenging the Constitutionality of Obamacare
• Tracking of Federal Grant Monies in order to be diverted from abortion providers to alternative to abortion agencies
• Protections for pharmacies not to be forced to carry abortion drugs,
• Further extension of PRC tax credits,
• Protection for Pregnancy Resource Center’s agencies and personnel from harassing regulations by local governments because of moral differences.

We thank all legislators who worked so diligently to pass lifesaving legislation during this session.

Missouri House Passes Pro-Life Bill Protecting Women Seeking Abortion

The following statement may be attributed to Pam Fichter, President of Missouri Right to Life:

We applaud the Missouri House of Representatives for passing HB 1274.  This bill offers protection for women seeking abortion by ensuring that complete information about the dangers of RU 486 and similar drugs are given to them and by requiring that they receive a complete physical 24 hours prior to being given the abortion drug.  This protective action will help ensure that the woman does not have a medical condition that will be exacerbated by the use of the RU 486 drug and create a life-threatening situation for her.
The bill would also ban so-called tele-med/video conference abortions in which the contact between the clinic and the woman takes place by tele-conference and the drug is administered locally to the woman without a proper physical examination.

This protective and common sense measure is for the protection of women seeking abortion. Why would anyone be opposed to women being fully informed about what RU 486 does to her body? Why would anyone be opposed to a woman being guaranteed a needed physical exam before an abortion?

Also receiving final approval in the House today was HB 1534, a bill that declares that the Missouri General Assembly finds that the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) exceeds the powers granted to Congress and makes it a misdemeanor for any officer of the state to enact Obamacare. Missouri Right to Life supported HB 1534 because we oppose the federal funding for abortion and rationing of healthcare contained in the PPACA.

Video: Archbishop Robert Carlson Addresses Enthusiastic Crowd Rallying for Religious Liberty at MO Capitol

We are slowly uploading video on to our YouTube channel of the speakers from yesterday’s Rally for Religious Liberty. First up is the address from St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson:

Hi res video of Bishop Carlson’s speech can be found at the MRL website. Read text of the Bishop’s official statement here.

Thousands Rally for Religious Freedom at MO State Capitol

Commenting on yesterday’s successful Rally for Religious Freedom at the Missouri State Capitol, Missouri Right to Life President, Pam Fichter, said, “Today was truly an historical and inspirational day.  Thousands of pro-life Missourians came together at the Capitol to take a stand for religious freedom.  Leaders from many Christian faiths pledged to never given in to government coercion that strips us of our right to practice our faith and exercise our own religious conscience.”

Thanks to everyone who turned out! Below are some pictures from the rally. See more at the MRL Facebook Page. We will have video and transcripts of all of the speakers coming soon!

Photo by: Julie Smith/Jefferson City News Tribune

Click the images below to enlarge (all images courtesy MRL Treasurer, Chelsea Zimmerman):

Missouri Right to Life Vice-President Steve Rupp

Bishop John Gaydos of the Diocese of Jefferson City gives the invocation.

Dr. John L. Yeats – Executive Director of the Missouri Baptist Convention

Darrin Rodgers, director of Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, reads a statement from George O. Wood, superintendent of the General Council of Assemblies of God, USA

Maggie Karner – Director of Life and Health Ministries for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Archbishop Robert Carlson — Archdiocese of St. Louis

Crowd pictures via: Jeff City News Tribune and Springfield News Leader

MO Rally for Religious Freedom Next Tuesday!

The Rally for Religious Freedom at the Capitol this coming Tuesday, March 27,  promises to be a great event!    If you are riding one of the many pre-registered buses, you will receive most of your instructions during the bus ride.  If you are driving in carpools or vans, you will receive lobbying and rally information upon registration in the rotunda.  Below is some additional information that everyone might find helpful.

Dress comfortably and wear comfortable shoes.  We will have limited seating for the disabled and seniors so most participants will be standing for the rally.

•  Wear red for life.
•  Bring a lunch and water.
•  Transportation information is on our website (link here)
• Registration begins at 9:00 AM at the MRL table in the Capitol rotunda

If you are coming from the St. Louis area, the train from Kirkwood leaves there at 9:44 and arrives in Jefferson City at 11:40. The train station is just a two block walk from the capitol. The train leaves again from Jefferson City at 7:03 pm. You could fill your afternoon with some sightseeing or other Jefferson City activities. A round-trip ticket would be about $58.

If you are driving, parking close to the Capitol is limited. The lots around the Capitol are reserved lots. Do not use them. The driver will have to let off his riders and then find a place to park. This could be up to 5 or 6 blocks away but is only about a 10 to 15 minute walk.  Some of the street parking is longer term but some is only one or two hours. If you do not want a fine, $5 to $10, you will have to move your car (closer to the Capitol, tires may be marked) or refill the meter.

If you are a bus captain, of any type of bus, or in a van, please instruct the driver to proceed around the capitol to the north or river side of the capitol. There is an inside lane for the bus to stop and let off passengers.  There will be “bus directors” in that area that will give the bus drivers a map and directions to prearranged parking spots.

MRL is supporting several pro-life bills this year, which are explained in the information packet you will receive on the buses, at several entrances throughout the Capitol, or at our registration desk.   You are asked to call on your legislators and Senate and House leadership and ask for their support of this legislation.  MRL will have volunteers at the chamber doors for your assistance.

Pro-Life Citizens Called to Participate in Missouri Caucus

Missouri Right to Life and National Right to Life have not endorsed a candidate in the Republican presidential primary race. If you choose to participate in the Republican caucuses taking place this Saturday, March 17th throughout Missouri, and on March 24th in Jackson County and St. Louis City, the following may be helpful to you.

Missouri’s Presidential Preference election which took place on February 7 was non-binding, meaning it did not elect any delegates to the Republican National Convention. This year Missouri Republicans will help choose a presidential nominee through the caucus process beginning with township and county caucuses.  National Right to Life has published a comparison of all the presidential candidates which is available here:   http://www.nrlpac.org/pdf/POTUS%20Comparison.pdf

Here is what you need to know, and what you need to do to participate in the caucus:
http://www.mogop.org/2012stateconvention/caucuses/

U.S. Senate Defeats Blunt Amendment to Protect Religious Freedom

Missouri Right to Life

Press Release

For Immediate Release:
March 1, 2012

For Information:
573-635-5110
314-966-3889

U.S. Senate Defeats Blunt Amendment to Protect Religious Freedom

The following statement may be attributed to Pam Fichter, President of Missouri Right to Life:

Today, March 1, 2012, the U.S. Senate defeated an amendment offered by Sen. Roy Blunt that would have amended the controversial Obama health care law to prevent the imposition of regulatory mandates that violate the religious or moral convictions of those who purchase or provide health insurance. The successful passage of this amendment would have prevented religiously affiliated hospitals and schools from being forced to purchase health insurance plans that cover all government-approved methods of birth control, which includes abortifacient drugs such as Ella and Plan B. The vote to table the Blunt amendment, thus killing it, was passed by a vote of 51 to 48. Senator Claire McCaskill voted to table the amendment.

This is not about birth control, this is about religious liberty. Exactly the same statutory authority that they are using today to force religious hospitals and schools to provide abortifacient drugs and other forms of birth control could be used by the Administration – as early as next year – to mandate that all health plans pay for elective abortion on demand.

This is a sad day in our country when a majority of the U.S. Senate willingly participates in the destruction of the U.S. Constitution and the freedom of religion. One has to wonder where these violations of our freedom by this administration will end.

The focus now shifts to the U.S. House, where the same legislation, introduced as H.R. 1179 by Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-Ne.) currently has 220 cosponsors (more than half of all House members).

JUDGE RULES THAT MOSIRA IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Judge Daniel Green in the Cole County Circuit Court ruled Monday evening that the MOSIRA (Missouri Science Innovation and Reinvestment Act) bill (SB 7) is unconstitutional.  Missouri Roundtable, Missouri Right to Life, Citizens of Missouri and Lawyers for Life filed suit against the MOSIRA legislation.  “Our suit was based on the language in SB 7 that clearly states that MOSIRA does not go into effect without the passage on SB 8, known as the Aerotropolis bill.  Since SB 8 did not pass during the extraordinary special session, MOSIRA should not and could not go into effect.  In spite of this language, Governor Nixon signed SB 7 and has taken steps to implement it,” stated Pam Fichter, President of Missouri Right to Life.

In addition to ruling that the MOSIRA bill is unconstitutional, specifically Article III, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution (Single Subject Rule), he permanently enjoined the State of Missouri from taking any action, including using public funds to implement the MOSIRA bill and he ordered the State of Missouri to rescind all actions taken to implement the MOSIRA bill.

“Missouri Right to Life is very thankful for this decision.  While we know, the nature of the successful lawsuit was one of constitutionality, Missouri Right to Life is committed to standing against the destruction of innocent human lives through human cloning and embryonic stem cell research, stated Pam Fichter.  “Monies in the MOSIRA fund would only be restrained by the language of MOSIRA. The MOSIRA fund, as passed in SB 7, had no pro-life protective language on it to prevent funds from being used for abortion services, human cloning and embryonic stem cell research.  Missouri Right to Life will continue to monitor any attempts to pass MOSIRA again without pro-life protections.”

Religious Freedom Rally

On Tuesday, March 27, 2012, Missouri Right to Life along with Missouri Catholic Conference, Missouri Baptist Convention and other religious denominations and pro-life advocacy groups will sponsor a legislative action day and rally to protest the new mandate of the US Department of Health and Human Services that forces employers, including religious institutions to provide coverage for abortion drugs, sterilization and contraceptives. We will call on Congress to pass S. 1467, sponsored by Sen. Roy Blunt and H.R. 1179 cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Todd Akin, Vicky Hartzler, Sam Graves, Billy Long and Blaine Luetkemeyer.

The rally will also support the passage of the Missouri bill, SB 749 which is sponsored by State Sen. John Lamping. This bill would prohibit the government from forcing religious institutions to offer health coverage for abortion drugs, sterilization or contraceptives. It would also make sure that individuals do not have to buy health plans that cover such items.

“We must not allow this callous disregard for human life to take root in our health care system. We must tell the Obama administration that pro-life Missourians reject this mandate and the mandate that we purchase health care plans with abortion services included,” said Pam Fichter, president of Missouri Right to Life.

Join Us on Tuesday, March 27th to Rally for Religious Freedom! Wear Red For Life!

Missouri Remembers Roe

Pro-life citizens from around the state are planning activities to commemorate the sad anniversary of Roe v. Wade and remember the over 53 MILLION unborn children who have been killed as a result of that ruling.

Thousands of Missourians will be boarding buses to head to Washington, D.C. for the annual March for Life. Several Missouri Right to Life chapters will also have events in their communities.

If you are unable to travel to Washington, please attend a local event to acknowledge the lives lost due to the Roe v Wade decision.

March for Life Bus Trips

Missouri Life Caravan – The annual bus trip to Washington, DC’s March for Life, January 22-24. Call MRL-Eastern Region, 314-434-4900, or MRL State Office, 573-635-5110, or e-mail LifeCaravan@missourilife.org for more information.

Sedalia Chapter – 2012 Right to Life Trip to Washington DC, January 21-24. E-mail David Fall at dfall@gogremlins.com or call 660-221-6138 for more information

Springfield/Cape Girardeau – January 21-24, five buses will leave from Springfield and also pick up passengers in Cape Girardeau. Please call 573-334-7298 or e-mail kkeesee@charter.net for more information

Washington MO – January 20-24. Please call 636-239-5883 or e-mail bill.gegg@att.net for more information

Western Region – Please call 816-353-4113 or e-mail mrlwr@att.net for information.

Community Events

Barton County Chapter – Jan. 22nd, 2:00 p.m., Memorial Hall, Lamar. Guest speaker State Rep. Mike Kelly, and a presentation by Life Choices Pregnancy Resource Center

East Central Area Chapter – Jan. 23rd, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., Candlelight Memorial Gathering at two locations: 5th & Jefferson in Washington, MO and at the Courthouse Square in
Union, MO

Mid Missouri March for Life – Jan 18th, 7:00p.m. Dinner, St. Martin’s Knights of Columbus Hall, 537 Rt. T, Jefferson City. Guest speakers Shawn Carney, co-founder of 40 Days for Life, and Dr. Alan Keyes. Jan. 19th, 10:00a.m. March to the Capitol. Guest speakers Dr. Keyes, Bridget Van Means, President of Thrive, and Coach Dave Daubenmire. Proceeds benefit the Women’s Help Center, St. Raymond’s Society, and 40 Days for Life. For more information, call 571-403-2977.

Monroe City Chapter – Ecumenical prayer service and candlelight march in Monroe City. The prayer service is at the K of C Hall starting at 5:00 p.m. and the march will follow. Contact Charlotte Schneider 573-735-2082 for information.

Sedalia Chapter – Jan. 23rd, 12 noon, Annual Memorial at the Pettis County Courthouse. Guest speaker Missouri Right to Life President Pam Ficther.

Western Region – January 22nd Candlelight Vigil for Life, 23rd & Noland Rd., 6:00 p.m. Contact Linda Vansandt, 816-252-2486, for information

January 23rd Prayer Vigil for Life, noon to 1:00 p.m., Ilus Davis Park (north side), 400 E. 9th St., Kansas City, MO. Contact the Missouri Right to Life Western Region office for more information, 816-353-4113