An Urgent Message from Fr. Owen Kearns LC, Publisher

Daschle Appointment Worries Pro-Life Activists

BY TIM DRAKE

Register Senior Writer

December 7-13, 2008 Issue | Posted 12/2/08 at 8:05 AM

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama continues to make appointments. But so far, his administration appears, to many, to be one of the most radically pro-abortion White House administrations in history.

The secretary of health and human services cabinet position will play a key role in developing Obama’s health-care reform plan and would be in charge of the regulations covering all medical establishments.

Former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle has been named to the post.

“Senator Daschle has a long record as one of the most politically liberal senators,” said John Brehany, executive director of the Catholic Medical Association. “His votes on a number of issues have been far outside most Democratic positions. He originally blocked the partial-birth abortion ban.”

Among Obama’s recent appointments is pro-abortion attorney Dawn Johnsen as a member of his Department of Justice Review Team. Johnsen was legal director of NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League) Pro-Choice America between 1988 and 1993.

In addition, Obama Dec. 1 named pro-abortion Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., as secretary of state.

He has also appointed Ellen Moran, executive director of Emily’s List, as White House communications director. Emily’s List is dedicated to electing Democratic pro-abortion women to office.

Any Silver Lining?

Pro-lifers expect the worst from Tom Daschle. One issue that will face the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is conscience protection for health-care workers opposed to abortion and contraception.

The Bush administration has been planning to announce a new “right of conscience” rule permitting medical facilities, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care workers to refuse to participate in any way in morally objectionable procedures such as abortion and possibly including birth control and artificial insemination.

Michael Leavitt, President Bush’s secretary of health and human services, said in August that “people should not be forced to say or do things they believe are morally wrong.”

But the new rules might change again in the new year.

“The latest regulations make it clear to people that you do have a right to not be involved with the destruction of abortion and abortifacients,” said Peggy Hartshorn, executive director of the crisis-pregnancy nonprofit Heartbeat International, which is affiliated with more than 1,100 pregnancy-resource centers nationwide. “All of that could be undone under the new administration depending upon who is head of HHS.”

When Daschle first ran for Congress in 1978, he wrote to supporters, “I am opposed to abortion. I do not support it. I have never supported it.”

But he has gradually come to reject protections of the right to life over time. While in Congress, he earned a 50% rating from NARAL, and at one time, a 0% rating from National Right to Life. According to a National Right to Life scorecard, Daschle voted for abortion 75 out of 83 opportunities. Over the years, he has supported NARAL and contributed financially to Emily’s List.

In 2003, Daschle’s public support of abortion drew the attention of his bishop, Robert Carlson. Then bishop of Sioux Falls, Bishop Carlson wrote to Daschle asking him to refrain from describing himself on his congressional website as Catholic. In 2004, Daschle lost his reelection bid to pro-life Republican John Thune.

Not everyone views Daschle’s appointment as entirely negative.

“Daschle has represented the moderate wing of the Democratic caucus in the Senate,” said Manuel Miranda, former congressional staffer and chairman of the Third Branch Conference, a coalition of leaders focused on judicial matters and the federal courts. “He’s a brilliant choice because he knows the ins and outs of the legislative process. He may be a moderating voice to Obama.”

Miranda noted that many of the president-elect’s appointments do not represent change as much as they represent a “reinstallation of the Clinton administration.” He added that Obama’s biggest challenge will be avoiding confrontation on court nominees.

“He’s being pulled by the left wing to name activist judges,” said Miranda. “If he does so, he’ll be declaring full and open war. That would be an unnecessarily contentious start.”

Obama’s transition team did not return the Register’s queries.

While Brehany recognizes Daschle’s ability to move things through Congress, he expressed concerns with his record, especially his support for abortion.

“Over the past 35 years, a series of protections have passed to allow health-care providers who were being pressured to provide abortions conscience protection,” explained Brehany. “Obama has promised to sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That would make it a violation of federal law to prevent abortion in any way and could strip all conscience protections.

“It appears this would have tremendous and very unwelcome ramifications for the protection of conscience clauses as well as for the protection of life,” added Brehany.

Reducing Abortion?

America magazine writer Michael Sean Winters described Daschle’s appointment as “a step in the right direction,” suggesting that he may work toward reducing the numbers of abortions.

But that view is rejected by the U.S. bishops. “We can’t reduce abortions by promoting abortion,” said Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities in his Sept. 19 letter to members of Congress.

In addition, Daschle’s appointment could have more far-reaching effects.

One side effect of the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), said Hartshorn, is that it could prevent crisis-pregnancy centers that currently receive state or federal funding for abstinence education from continuing to do so.

She’s also concerned about what Daschle might do regarding conscience clause protection and the impact that regulations could play regarding faith-based initiatives.

“FOCA would negate all the conscience clause provisions that have been passed and could negatively impact those faith-based initiatives which fall under HHS and currently receive federal money,” said Hartshorn.

“One of the reasons that our centers have been able to receive faith-based grants is that during the current administration, Christian centers have been waived from the requirement to comply with nondiscrimination in hiring because of religion,” explained Hartshorn. “Obama has said that he will increase faith-based funding, but he may slap on a requirement that organizations comply with the nondiscrimination clause. If that’s the case, 99% of the organizations that currently receive money would probably refuse it.

“If the laws are watered down, we know that more women will be pressured into having abortions,” said Hartshorn. “It will be even more crucial to promote alternatives to abortion. It’s our call to action even more strongly.”

Tim Drake is based in

St. Joseph, Minnesota.

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