AUL Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest defends infants born alive before the Florida Senate Committee.*

*Film of testimony has been edited.

Urges Abortion Advocate to Support Protections
for Babies Born Alive After Abortion.

 
WASHINGTON, D.C. (04-08-13) – Americans United for Life Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest announced a national, web-based campaign to rally pro-life Americans from across the country to hold Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards “accountable for her organization’s tacit support of infanticide in recent testimony in Florida. We must work together to ‘Let Them Live’ and fight for the legal rights of children, born and struggling for life, following an attempted abortion.”

A Planned Parenthood of Florida Lobbyist, testifying recently against the Florida state Born Alive Infants Protection Act, in essence called for infanticide in the United States, telling lawmakers that should a baby survive an abortion, allowing that baby to continue living was debatable. On behalf of Planned Parenthood, Alisa LaPolt Snow said her organization believes the fate of a child surviving a botched abortion could be death, depending on the feelings of the people in the room at the time.

“AULA is calling for Cecile Richards to disavow that barbaric position and join us in calling for legal protections for human beings, struggling for life, in a Planned Parenthood clinic,” said Dr. Yoest. “In addition, we are asking for Planned Parenthood to withdraw their opposition to legislation that protects children born alive during abortion and join us in advancing the bill in Florida and elsewhere across the country.”

To send Cecile Richards a message asking her to “Let Them Live,” click here

The controversy over children born alive during an abortion was renewed recently when shocking footagefrom the Florida hearing reveals this exchange:

“… Uuugh, it is just really hard for me to even ask you this question because I’m almost in disbelief,” said Rep. Jim Boyd in a clip from the hearing.

“If a baby is born on a table as a result of a botched abortion, what would Planned Parenthood want to have happen to that child that is struggling for life?”

“Well, we believe that any decision that’s made should be left up to the woman, her family, and the physician,” replied Snow.

In a follow-up question, Rep. Daniel Davis repeated the concern to Snow. “What happens in a situation where a baby is alive, breathing on a table, moving? What do your physicians do at that point?” he asked.

“Umm, I do not have that information,” Snow responded. “I am not a physician, I am not an abortion provider. So I do not have that information.”

Even after another legislator, Rep. Jose Oliva, asked Snow again about the fate of abortion survivors, she maintained that those children shouldn’t necessarily have a right to life.

“… You stated that a baby born alive on a table as a result of a botched abortion that that decision should be left to the doctor and the family. Is that what you’re saying?” asked Oliva.

“That decision should be between the patient and the health care provider,” said Snow.

“I think that at that point the patient would be the child struggling on the table, wouldn’t you agree?” noted Oliva.

“That’s a very good question. I really don’t know how to answer that,” said Snow.

“Americans United for Life Action does know how to answer that: Let Them Live,” said Dr. Yoest.

For more information on AUL model legislation, including the Born Alive Infants Protection Act, click here.

“Today, the defeat of Caitlin Halligan is a significant pro-life win as her anti-life record indicated strong potential for agenda-driven judging,” said AULA’s Dr. Charmaine Yoest. “Her record of hostile aggression against peaceful protestors raised concern that she would use her elevated position on the bench as a ideological platform for potential abortion activism.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (03-06-13) – Americans United for Life Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest commended the U.S. Senate for a NO vote on cloture on the nomination of Caitlin Halligan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in what was a scored vote on life. “Today, the defeat of Caitlin Halligan is a significant pro-life win. Her record of hostile aggression against peaceful protestors raised concern that she would use her elevated position on the bench as a ideological platform for potential abortion activism,” said Dr. Yoest. “AULA scores this vote as a win and commends the U.S. Senators who protected the Court of Appeals from a potentially biased judge.”

The cloture vote took place earlier today.

Halligan’s abortion activism came to light when she used her position as Solicitor General for the state of New York to bring the weight of her office against peaceful pro-life protestors. In 2002, in the Supreme Court case of NOW v. Scheidler, Halligan attempted to squash the First Amendment rights of private citizens who opposed abortion, and tried to intimidate and bankrupt them by expanding the reach of the federal Hobbs Act and the federal civil RICO (racketeering) law. Halligan urged the Supreme Court to adopt NOW’s unprecedented legal theory that public protest that diminished the business of abortion clinics constituted federal “extortion.”

For 10 years, from 1985 to 1995, AUL was co-counsel for Joseph Scheidler in NOW v. Scheidler and thereafter filed amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court against the expansion of Hobbs Act extortion and RICO, defending the Constitutional Rights of Americans to peacefully assemble and peacefully protest.

Halligan’s role in the case was extraordinary because she attempted to persuade the Supreme Court that the history of New York law was essential to a proper interpretation of the Hobbs Act/RICO and that her position as Solicitor General of New York gave her special insight and influence in interpreting New York’s extortion law.

The Supreme Court threw out the case twice and eventually rejected Halligan’s position 8-1.  Even Justice Ginsburg, the most liberal member of the Court, authored a concurring opinion rejecting Halligan’s attempt to stretch the Hobbs Act to apply to abortion protestors.  Ginsburg wrote, “The Court is rightly reluctant, as I see it, to extend RICO’s domain further by endorsing the expansive definition of ‘extortion.’”

To read the letter AULA sent to the U.S. Senate in opposition to Halligan’s nomination, click here.

“The healthcare law is the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade, and includes the unprecedented move to force cooperation with a life-ending agenda or face punitive action,” said AULA’s Dr. Yoest.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (03-04-13) – Americans United for Life Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest added her voice to 13 women Members of Congress calling this week for new conscience rights protections, now under fire through the anti-life provisions of Obamacare. In an effort led by former nurse, Rep. Diane Black (R-TN), the leaders are asking for conscience and religious liberty protections to be included in any continuing resolution that funds the government through FY 2013.

“The healthcare law is the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade, and includes the unprecedented move to force cooperation with a life-ending agenda or face punitive action,” said Dr. Yoest. “AULA applauds the 13 women in Congress who are fighting for conscience rights through the budgeting process, and calls on all Members of Congress to support this effort.”

To date, AUL has filed seven amicus curiae briefs on behalf of medical personnel, individuals and businesses whose Constitutional freedom of conscience rights are violated by provisions in the healthcare law that require them to fund life-ending drugs and devices or participate with the deadly abortion business. AULA also testified three times about grave concerns with potential threats to conscience rights during hearings over preventive care requirements in Obamacare.

In a letter to House leadership, the 13 women representatives discussed violations of conscience rights already occurring, and said: “This attack on religious freedom demands immediate congressional action. Nothing short of a full exemption for both non-profit and for-profit entities will satisfy the demands of the Constitution and common sense. In recent years, the Administration has committed unprecedented attacks against the religious freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution, all under the guise of ‘access to health care.’ Congress cannot ignore the relentless assault on the First Amendment right to religious freedom.”

The letter was signed by House Representative Diane Black, Representative Marsha Blackburn, Representative Michele Bachmann, Representative Renee Ellmers, Representative Vicky Hartzler, Representative Martha Roby, Representative Jackie Walorski, Representative Cynthia Lummis, Representative Ann Wagner, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Representative Lynn Jenkins, Representative Candice Miller, and Representative Kristi Noem.

AUL and AULA have been tracking the life-ending agenda in Obamacare throughout the entire process. Abortion is woven into the healthcare law at multiple levels, including:

• Failing to prohibit the use of federal tax dollars for abortion, abortion coverage, and abortion-inducing drugs and devices.
• Pretending that the Hyde Amendment protections were enough to prohibit direct payment for abortions.
• Permitting federally subsidized Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) to provide abortion coverage through the state insurance exchanges required in all 50 states.
• Failing to prohibit all multi-state qualified health plans from providing coverage for abortion.
• Including a “preventive care” mandate that is being used to force coverage of drugs and devices known to end life.
• Failing to provide comprehensive First Amendment conscience protections for individuals, employers, and insurance companies that have religious or moral objections to abortion.

For more information on real healthcare that respects life, click here.

Halligan “is unqualified to sit on such a prestigious court because of her conduct in office, using her position in state government to advance radical, pro-abortion legal theories against the constitutional rights of pro-life citizens,” said AULA’s Dr. Yoest.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (03-01-13) – Americans United for Life Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest called for the U.S. Senate to vote no on cloture on the nomination of Caitlin Halligan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in what will be a scored vote on life. “Halligan shows signs of being the quintessential judicial activist,” noted Dr. Yoest. “She is unqualified to sit on such a prestigious court because of her conduct in office, using her position in state government to advance radical, pro-abortion legal theories  against the constitutional rights of pro-life citizens.”

Cloture is likely to be filed on her nomination, followed by a vote next week.

Halligan’s abortion activism came to light when she used her position as Solicitor General for the state of New York to bring the weight of her office against peaceful pro-life protestors. In 2002, in the Supreme Court case of NOW v. Scheidler, Halligan attempted to squash the First Amendment rights of private citizens who opposed abortion, and tried to intimidate and bankrupt them by expanding the reach of the federal Hobbs Act and the federal civil RICO (racketeering) law. Halligan urged the Supreme Court to adopt NOW’s unprecedented legal theory that public protest that diminished the business of abortion clinics constituted federal “extortion.”

For 10 years, from 1985 to 1995, AUL was co-counsel for Joseph Scheidler in NOW v. Scheidler and thereafter filed amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court against the expansion of Hobbs Act extortion and RICO, defending the constitutional rights of Americans to peacefully assemble and peacefully protest.

Halligan’s role in the case was extraordinary because she attempted to persuade the Supreme Court that the history of New York law was essential to a proper interpretation of the Hobbs Act/RICO and that her position at Solicitor General of New York gave her special insight and influence in interpreting New York’s extortion law.

The Supreme Court threw out the case twice and eventually rejected Halligan’s position 8-1.  Even Justice Ginsburg, the most liberal member of the Court, authored a concurring opinion rejecting Halligan’s attempt to stretch the Hobbs Act to apply to abortion protestors.  Ginsburg wrote, “The Court is rightly reluctant, as I see it, to extend RICO’s domain further by endorsing the expansive definition of ‘extortion.’”

“Halligan admittedly ‘provided substantial assistance’ in filing the brief on behalf of New York and inserting herself into this effort to sever pro-life Americans from their Constitutional rights,” said Dr. Yoest. “Her willingness to twist laws–designed to confront organized crime–against peaceful protestors demonstrates why Americans United for Life Action is calling for a NO vote. The Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade wrongly took the issue of life out of the hands of voters through an activist court. Halligan’s nomination represents the possibility of further judicial activism on abortion, and she must not be allowed to receive a lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals.”

AULA will send a letter to members of the U.S. Senate to urge a NO vote on cloture on Halligan’s nomination.

“By forcing healthcare professionals to choose between conscience and career, we will lose doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers who are already in short supply,” testifies AULA’s Anna Franzonello.

WASHINGTON, D.C./ LINCOLN, NEBRASKA (03-01-13) – On behalf of Americans United for Life Action’s efforts to defend First Amendment Conscience Rights across the country, AULA Vice President of Legal Affairs Dan McConchie and AULA staff attorney Anna Franzonello joined with pro-life leaders and legislators to support LB 564, the Health Care Freedom of Conscience Act. “The force of law should not be used against citizens acting as their consciences dictate,” said McConchie.

Franzonello will testify later today before the Judiciary Committee in support of the bill being passed out of committee to the state legislature for a vote.

In her remarks, the AULA attorney discusses the many complex medical dilemmas now facing medical professionals who must use their own judgments to determine the best course of action, a right that has been protected under the law in the Nebraska Constitution and in the U.S. Constitution.

“While the list of ethical dilemmas increases, so do attacks against the freedom of conscience of healthcare providers,” she observed. This situation is leading toward a shortage of healthcare providers.

Franzonello will testify: “Protecting the freedom of conscience of healthcare providers and institutions is necessary to avoid added stress on an already overtaxed healthcare system.  Experts project that current shortages of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals will worsen, failing to meet future requirements.

“Legal action and other pressure to compel healthcare providers to participate in procedures to which they conscientiously object threaten to make the already dangerous situation disastrous.  By forcing healthcare professionals to choose between conscience and career, we will lose doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers who are already in short supply, especially in rural parts of the country, and will bar competent young men and women from entering these vital professions.”

McConchie and Franzonello are also scheduled to join with leaders from Family First of Nebraska, Nebraska Catholic Conference and Nebraska Family Council for a news conference to highlight medical professionals supporting conscience rights:

When: Friday, March 1, 2013, 12:00 Noon-12:30 PM

Where:                       The Rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol

1445 K Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508

Contact for event:               AUL Nebraska coordinator Suzanne Gage                                                         (402) 730-1057, nebraska@aul.org

To read Franzonello’s complete testimony, click here.

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. (02-26-13) – Americans United for Life Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest commended Governor Mike Beebe for signing the “Pregnant Woman’s Protection Act” that gives mothers legal protections when they are forced to defend the lives of their unborn children.”As a mother of five, I personally know of a mother’s strong instinct to fight for her children, and no woman should be penalized for defending her child – born or in the womb.”

Based on AUL model legislation, “The Pregnant Woman’s Protection Act” (Arkansas Senate Bill 170) passed unanimously in the state senate and passed the state house without a single dissenting vote before it was sent to Gov. Beebe for his signature.

“AUL’s ‘Pregnant Woman’s Protection Act’ seeks to ensure that a pregnant woman and her unborn child are protected from unlawful criminal violence and that a woman’s decision to carry her child to term is respected,” said Dr. Yoest.  “This innovative and cutting-edge legislation was drafted in direct response to the well-documented and growing problem of pregnancy-related violence against women.”

Studies have shown that violence and abuse are often higher during pregnancy than during any other period in a woman’s lifetime.  For example, according to the March of Dimes, one in six pregnant women has been abused by a partner, while a 1998 household survey determined that pregnant women are 60 percent more likely to be beaten than women who are not pregnant.

A pregnant woman is also more likely to be a victim of homicide than to die of any other cause, and homicide and other violent crimes are a leading cause of death for women of reproductive age.  Notably, criminal investigations from across the nation demonstrate that husbands or boyfriends are often the perpetrators of pregnancy-associated violence and that this violence is often intended to end or jeopardize the pregnancy.

According to AUL Action’s legal team, the Arkansas bill is part of a growing legal trend across the country. In the last three years, Oklahoma and Missouri have also enacted AUL’s “Pregnant Woman’s Protection Act,” statutorily acknowledging a pregnant woman’s right to use force including deadly force to protect her unborn child.

At the national level, the Federal Unborn Victims of Violence Act as well as the laws of thirty-seven states recognize an unborn child as a separate victim of criminal violence and treat the killing of an unborn child as a form of homicide.

To download a copy of AUL’s model legislation, click here.

“AUL has proven that momentum for life at the state level can counter the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (11/7/12) – Americans United for Life Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest said that despite the aggressiveness of President Obama’s pro-abortion agenda AUL’s proven track record of state legislative success is a roadmap to expand a culture of life. A pro-life majority being retained in the U.S. House also means that President Obama will not be able to force through his radical abortion agenda without opposition.

“At the state level, we will continue building the momentum we’ve developed as more legislatures continue advancing the life issue with Constitutionally sound legislation defending life in law. And the courts will see an ever increasing number of lawsuits as Americans fight for their First Amendment Rights of Conscience which are violated by Obamacare.” Already, AUL has assisted ten states in passing legislation to opt out of Obamacare.

For more on AUL’s track record of legislative success, click here to read this weekend’s Sunday New York Times Magazine profile of Dr. Yoest.

Americans United for Life Action engaged pro-life voters through an innovative, on-line community effort “Team Life 2012” and spearheaded get-out-the-vote efforts through campaigns in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Of on-going concern with Obamacare is the continuing violation of First Amendment Rights of Conscience. In defense of life, AUL and AULA engaged in the healthcare debate at multiple levels. In HHS v. Florida, AUL filed an amicus curiae brief with the Supreme Court, along with lead counsel the Bioethics Defense Fund and other pro-life organizations, challenging the “abortion premium mandate” provision in the healthcare law.  AUL argued that the law violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment by effectively forcing millions of individuals to personally pay a separate premium to fund abortion in violation of their sincerely held religious, ethical, or moral beliefs.

Following the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, AUL released model “opt out” legislation to assist states in safeguarding against abortion coverage being included in their state insurance exchanges. To date, AUL has assisted ten states in enacting opt-outs.

For more information on healthcare that respects the First Amendment Rights of Conscience of all Americans, click here.

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Americans United for Life Action President and CEO Brings Cutting-Edge PRO-LIFE, PRO-WOMAN Policies to GOP Convention
following historic GOP Platform Victory

The head of AUL Action lays out how “Life Counts” in 2012 –
especially at the ballot box.

WASHINGTON, DC /TAMPA, FL (8/23/12) – Coming fresh from pro-life victories during the GOP platform debates, Americans United for Life Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest will be attending the GOP Convention in Tampa, detailing how “Life Counts” in this election season. AULA’s involvement in this election cycle was clearly highlighted this week with an historic victory – as a result of AULA’s efforts, for the first time, the GOP Platform includes the fact that abortion endangers the health and well-being of women.

This messaging has been a key part of AUL and AULA’s legislative efforts over recent years, seen clearly in its Arizona 20-week abortion limit that focuses on the health consequences of late-term procedures on women as well as on the pain felt by their unborn children. During the 2012 legislative session, AUL Action worked on and helped achieve the passage of 19 pro-life laws. To read more click here.

“By a two to one margin, voters choose life when that motivates their vote. Life is a winning issue,” said Dr. Yoest. “And a pro-woman, pro-life platform continues to be affirmed in the GOP platform, thanks in part to efforts by AULA. Our team was active in drafting language that affirmed the fact that abortion harms women and in working to ensure that women’s health was addressed in the platform. This platform shows a real concern for the dignity of women.”

The historic, woman-centered language in the GOP Platform is as follows: “Through Obamacare, the Obama Administration has promoted the notion that abortion is healthcare.  We, however, affirm the dignity of women by protecting the sanctity of human life.  Numerous studies have shown that abortion endangers the health and well-being of women and we stand firmly against it.”

DR. YOEST WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS AND COMMENTARY during the convention.
E-mail: press@aul.org for immediate response.

A Favorite Source for Political Reporters: Called a “charismatic president” by Mother Jones, and a “new voice” for the pro-life movement, by the Christian Science Monitor, many in the media are taking note of Dr. Yoest’s pivotal role in pro-life policy. “This mother of five – who is not a physician, attorney, or lawmaker – has set the stage for sweeping antiabortion victories at the state level on the strength of her seeming candor, warmth, and camera-ready smile,” notes a political reporter in a recent profile. For more from the media on Dr. Yoest’s critical role in current pro-life policy debates, click here.

In the coming days, AULA will launch its innovative, web-oriented “Life Counts” campaign to rally the millions of Americans concerned that everyone be welcomed in life and protected in law. Stay tuned for news on this development.

At the convention, AULA is also co-sponsoring an event titled “A Celebration of Pro-Life Women leaders,” on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Those with credentials can RSVP in advance here.

TAMPA, FL (8/21/12) — AUL Action Vice President of Government Affairs Dan McConchie and AUL Staff Counsel Kellie Fiedorek are at the Republican Platform in Tampa, Florida working to ensure that the 2012 Republican Platform remains strongly pro-life. Legislative insiders, they are tracking the trends for life in the election cycle.

“We are on the ground working with state delegates from around the country to ensure the platform remains committed to defending the sanctity and dignity of innocent human life, prioritizes the health and well-being of women, and protects the freedom of conscience,” said McConchie, during a break from platform debates.

To contact AULA on the ground for inside information on what is taking place at the platform discussions and how AUL Action is making sure that the Republican Platform affirms the dignity of all human life consistent with the first guarantees of the Declaration of Independence, e-mail: press@aul.org.

AND STAY TUNED: Next week Americans United for Life Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest will be in Tampa working to ensure that everyone is welcomed in life and protected in law. Soon to be announced, AULA’s strategic “Life Counts 2012″ initiative, an integrated campaign with a unique online appeal.