ARTICLES
July/August 1997 ARTICLESLETTERS
Contents © 1997
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.
Catholics, Republicans Sabotage Unborn
TAXPAYERS TO HAND ABORTION LOBBY $120 MILLION
Thirteen Catholic members of the State Assembly voted May 27 to approve the Wilson budget bill, which funds the abortion lobby with more than $120 million of public funds. Pro-life members of the state Assembly -- predominately non-Catholics -- presented right-to-life amendments to prevent public funding for abortion after 20 weeks, partial-birth abortion, and abortions committed by doctors on probation for incompetence. Each time a vote was taken, about 29 votes were pro-life. In order for any amendment to pass, a simple majority of 41 votes was needed. If all 13 Catholic Assembly members had voted to protect the unborn children, each amendment would have passed.
One of the right-to-life lobbyists approached Deborah Ortiz, a Democrat from Sacramento. Ortiz firmly stated that although she is a Catholic, she is strongly for abortion. When offered a copy of the "American Holocaust" documentary, Ortiz said she would not read it and would throw it into the trash. She has a solid, pro-abortion, anti-Catholic voting record.
When pro-life lobbyists met with Assembly speaker Cruz Bustamante, he told them that he "is personally opposed to abortion and would not advise his children to have an abortion, but would not impose his beliefs." He also said that he would not be voting on any amendments. Not only did he vote on the amendments, he voted solidly pro-abortion and advised the entire Democrat membership to vote pro-abortion.
"Unless the bishops call a halt to this injustice," said a prominent Assembly staff member, "it would be hypocrisy for them to continue to speak out against abortion."
The following legislators have identified themselves as Catholic and then voted for the Wilson abortion budget to fund all abortions up to the moment of birth for any reason:
Dion Aroner (D-Oakland), Joe Baca (D-San Bernardino), Cruz Bustamente (D-Fresno), Louis Caldera (D-Los Angeles), Jim Cuneen (R-Campbell), Martha Escutia (D-Huntington Park, Los Angeles area), Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont), Martin Gallegos (D-Irwindale), Michael Machado (D-Stockton), Diane Martinez (D-Alhambra), Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk), Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento), Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles). In the state senate:: Jim Costa (D-Fresno), Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica), Theresa Hughes (D-Stockton), Patrick Johnston (D-Stockton), Jack O'Connell (D-Santa Barbara), Hilda Solis (D-El Monte), Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles).
Republicans Also Betray Pro-Lifers
Four Assembly Republicans joined abortion Democrats May 27 in unprecedented support for taxpayer-funded abortion. Brooks Firestone (R-Santa Barbara), Marilyn Brewer (R-Irvine), Jim Cunneen (R-Campbell), and Steven Kuykendall (R-Long Beach) voted against all nine floor amendments proposed by right-to-life legislators. Prior to the votes, Cuneen and Kuykendall were seen caucusing with lobbyists for Planned Parenthood.
Pro-life Assembly members, led by Steve Baldwin (R-La Mesa), proposed amendments to the budget bill that would block taxpayer funding for such items as: partial-birth abortion; abortions performed by doctors on probation; more than one abortion per Medi-Cal woman per year; abortions for illegal aliens; and abortion on babies older than 20 weeks. As each amendment was offered, Assemblyman Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), representing the will of the Democratic caucus led by Speaker Cruz Bustamante, demanded that the amendment be tabled so there would be no opportunity for debate.
The four Republicans voted each time with the pro-abortion Democrats. After all of the pro-life amendments were defeated, Firestone rose to offer a Democrat-sponsored amendment to allow for partial birth abortion public funding as prescribed by the Daschle Amendment from Washington, D.C. In a suprise move, even the Democrats voted nay, and it was defeated.
"Firestone, Brewer, Cuneen, and Kuykendall denounced their Republican principles and defied the Republican caucus," said Orange County Republican Bob Cilenicky. "The Republican Party must not give another dime to their political campaigns and they must be unseated. They're a disgrace."