Webcast targets abortion-funding mandate

When word came out of Washington that a bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives will force taxpayers to pay for abortion in the nation's capital, pro-life leaders including Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, Kristen Day of Democrats for Life, New Jersey pro-life U.S. Rep. Chris Smith and Peggy Hartshorn of Heartbeat International jumped into action.

The result is the StopTheAbortionMandate.com website and a nationwide webcast tomorrow night that aims to generate enough objections to halt the plan in its tracks.

Register now for the webcast!

"Sound the alarm!" the pro-lifers' message warns. "Powerful abortion industry lobbyists and Washington, D.C., politicians have just launched a massive effort to mandate taxpayer-funded abortions as part of their proposed trillion-dollar health-care takeover."

Citing the $350 million in taxpayer money handed over to Planned Parenthood, the U.S. abortion industry's largest business, it warned, "Now they want even more!"

"It is unthinkable that – at a time when American taxpayers are trying to stretch their dollars as far as possible, jobs are being lost, homes are foreclosed, food prices are on the rise, and the economy continues to decline – the abortion industry's allies in Congress are trying to mandate taxpayer funding of abortion," the website said.

"Under the proposed takeover, virtually every American will eventually be in a health plan that mandates abortion coverage. These heinous measures could also force honorable medical providers to violate their consciences and perform abortions – or risk losing their jobs."

The webcast, scheduled Thursday at 9 p.m. Eastern, will discuss the "shocking facts" about the legislation, its "devastating" implications and why there is such an urgency for pro-life interests to join forces.

David Bereit

Acting as host for the event will be David Bereit, national director of 40 Days for Life, a groundbreaking pro-life initiative featuring prayer and fasting, peaceful vigils and grass-roots outreach.

The effort has saved 1,561 lives and mobilized over 215,000 people in 240 cities across North America over the last 21 months.

Dobson now is chairman emeritus of Focus on the Family, and his radio programs are on more than 7,000 stations worldwide. Some 220 million people hear his commentaries daily.

Others on the webcast will include:

Dr. Charmaine Yoest of Americans United for Life, the first national pro-life organization in the nation. Its legal strategists have been involved in every pro-life case before the United States Supreme Court since Roe vs. Wade.
Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. He is a former member of the Louisiana legislature where he served for eight years. He is recognized as a legislative pioneer for authoring measures such as the nation's first Covenant Marriage law.
Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life and national pastoral director of Rachel's Vineyard, the world's largest ministry of healing after abortion.
Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List directs the group's mission and is spokeswoman.
Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee. He says the proposed health-care bills "threaten to produce the greatest expansion of abortion since Roe vs. Wade."
Wendy Wright of Concerned Women for America, the nation's largest public policy women's organization. She promotes legislation and international policies that are beneficial to women and families, briefs congressional and presidential staff on pro-family issues, and trains grass-roots activists.
Tom Minnery of Focus on the Family. His staff produces Citizen magazine, a monthly issues magazine; Family News in Focus, a daily information and analysis radio program broadcast; Teachers in Focus magazine and others.
Kristen Day of Democrats for Life. She speaks on behalf of women and pro-life Democrats and has been featured as a guest on radio talk shows.
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith. He's represented the citizens of New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District since 1981. Since that time, he has championed the rights of many – from children forced to toil in sweatshops to women sold into prostitution to unborn children whose life is threatened.
Peggy Hartshorn of Heartbeat International. She's dedicated to helping women in crisis pregnancies. She and her husband founded a local pregnancy center in Columbus, Ohio.
U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts, a seven-term congressman who represents the 16th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. Since he came to Congress in 1997, Pitts has been a staunch fiscal conservative, promoter of human life and traditional family values, and a champion for human rights.
Kristan Hawkins of Students for Life of America. She has appeared on the Fox News Channel show "Hannity & Colmes."
Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention. During his tenure as representative for the largest protestant denomination in the country, Land has represented Southern Baptist and other evangelicals' concerns in the halls of Congress, before U.S. presidents and in the media.
Melinda Delahoyde of Care Net. She's a lifelong leader in the crisis pregnancy center movement.
Jim Sedlak of American Life League. He is considered one of the leading experts on the harm caused by Planned Parenthood and has helped to close dozens of Planned Parenthood facilities.
Day Gardner of the National Black Pro-Life Union. She anchors a radio program for NPLR.net online and WCAR-1040 AM, Detroit.
Carmen Pate from Point of View Radio Show. She has appeared as a regular spokeswoman for life and family issues on television, radio and in print publications.