The inability of Congress to muster up the two-thirds majority vote necessary to override two presidential vetoes of legislation that would have outlawed partial-birth abortion has led to many states enacting their own laws banning the procedure. The National Right To Life Committee (NRLC) website (www.nrlc.org) reports that twenty-seven have passed bans along the lines of the federal bill, of which eight are currently in effect. Enforcement of most of these laws, however, including one in Louisiana, is currently being blocked by the court orders. On January 14, 2000 the U. S. Supreme Court agreed to review the ruling by which a three judge panel of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit struck down Nebraska's ban on partial-birth abortions.
NRLC general council James Bopp, Jr. points out that Nebraska's appeal of the ruling is not a direct challenge to Roe vs. Wade saying, "Bans on partial-birth abortion can be upheld even under Roe vs. Wade - indeed, the Supreme Court would have to expand the so-called right to abortion beyond the womb in order to uphold the Eighth Circuit decision striking down Nebraska's law."
In a related article in the January 15, 200 Times-Picayune, Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns is quoted as saying, "I feel strongly that states should have the right to legislate in the area of partial-birth abortion. It's a barbaric procedure that I hope is brought to an end." State Attorney General Don Stenberg agreed with the the governor, adding, "It shocks the conscience that in the United States of America a human child can be literally pulled from the womb and cruelly killed by having his or her skull punctured and brain suctioned out."
You These statements by Nebraska's elected officials express well the feelings of those of us who respect all human life. Let us pray that the justices of the Supreme Court agree.
| Senator John Breaux | Senator Mary Landrieu | Congressman Billy Tauzin | |
| Senate Office Building | Senate Office Building | House Office Building | |
| Washington, DC 20510 | Washington, DC 20510 | Washington, DC 20510 | |
| (202)224-3121(Switchboard) | (202)224-3121(Switchboard) | (202)225-3121(Switchboard) | |
| (202)224-4623(Direct) | (202)224-5824(Direct) | (202)225-4031(Direct) | |
| Website:www.senator.gov/~breaux | Website:www.senator.gov/senate/landrieu | Website:www.house.gov/tauzin |
| District No. | ||
| Hunt Downer, PO Box 7015, Houma, LA 70361 | (504) 876-0870 | |
| Reggie Dupre, PO Box 3893, Houma, LA 70361 | (504) 876-9902 | |
| District No. | ||
| Dr. Mike Robichaux, P.O. Box 45, Mathews 70375 | (504) 537-7064 | |
| John Siracusa, 8905 US 90 East, Morgan City 70380 | (504) 384-0703 |
National Right To Life Committee
National Right To Life News, Suite 500, 419 7th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004, Phone (202) 626-8800
Terrebonne-Lafourche Right To Life, P. O. Box 6041, Houma, LA 70361
(504)851-BABY
