When he finally voted for President Obama’s health care bill, “pro-life” Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan disappointed many people who believed he really wanted to make sure the federal government wouldn’t force taxpayers to fund abortions. Plans by a number of pro-life groups to honor Stupak for his initial efforts against the bill were canceled. One of these groups should soon turn around and award a pro-life award to the man who could become the next Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio.
I spend a lot of time around conservatives and pro-life activists. Boehner’s name rarely appears in their company. For some, distrust of authority keeps them from accepting it. For some people, what matters is his style, appearance and lifestyle. But the truth is that Boehner managed to keep his caucus united on the health care vote, and on other issues he kept the pro-choice crowd and its ruling cronies in check – as much as a minority leader can. He also has a solid track record of doing all kinds of things that are currently popular; for example, he has never undertaken any goal in his life.
In a speech to a conservative audience this winter, Boehner urged House Republicans “not to linger on… the issue of the sanctity of life.” He explained: “In November, Republican lawmakers joined forces with some Democratic lawmakers to stop them from using any federal taxpayer funds… to provide abortions in America. … Working with the other side was met with reluctance.” But this is what is called principled leadership. While he didn’t like the bill, if it were to pass, he wanted taxpayer funding of abortion not to be part of it. After Stupak’s abortion protection language was included in the House bill before its passage last year, Boehner appeared on the House floor three times and asked Democratic committee chairmen Charlie Rangel, Henry Waxman and George Miller to pledge support project when the time comes. conference negotiations with the Senate. Since abortion was their priority, they would not do it. (It’s a shame that Stupak, wanting to pass the bill, didn’t have such a powerful belief in the sanctity of the unborn when his moment of leadership came.) Recalling the events slow last year, Boehner said: “When it comes to protecting the unborn, we will raise our voices wherever we are.” they could have won it… We did the right thing for the right reasons and we are showing… the American people that there is a clear difference between the two parties.”
The difference became all too clear one evening in March when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, seemingly unsure whether she had the votes for the president’s health care bill, summoned Stupak and asked what he needed to support the bill. He reportedly still wanted the bill to prohibit taxpayer funding of abortion and protect the conscience of medical personnel who oppose abortion. The pro-choice caucus in the House of Representatives – led by Republican Diana DeGette, R-Colo., the radical feminist leader of the Death Party – would have no influence on this.
On the other hand, Boehner not only did his job and kept his word, but also confronted the president of the United States and other Democratic Party leaders who consistently lied about the abortion content in the legislation they passed. At the White House health care summit, Boehner said: “We have had federal law for 30 years that says abortion will not be funded by taxpayers. We had this debate in the House… The House maintained the language that has been in the law for 30 years, that abortion will not be financed by taxpayers. This bill before us… allows taxpayer funding for abortion for the first time in 30 years.”
He then continued the thesis that he and his Republican colleagues have consistently repeated: let’s start over. Let’s work together, for real. Let’s make sure abortion is not included in this bill.
Well, that didn’t happen. But Boehner put up a fight. And if Democrats lose seats, as expected, in November, he may actually be able to provide the White House with much stronger opposition. He was a consistent leader throughout his life when it really counted. Everything indicates that he will continue the fight. Instead of complaining that Republicans aren’t talking more about this issue, those who believe that the sanctity of unborn human life is the central human rights issue of our time should thank John Boehner – who has a zero rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America, the industry arm abortion and 100% assessment by the National Right to Life Committee. With all the powerful figures and influences arrayed against Boehner and the culture of life, this is the right thing to do.
