Bishops Search for Stupak Sponsor in Senate

Roman Catholic bishops are still searching for a senator willing to sponsor the equivalent of the House of Representatives Stupak amendment in the Senate. Politico reports that among the senators under intense pressure by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pro-life advocacy is Democratic senator from Pa, Richard Doerfinger, a Catholic and high-profile opponent of abortion rights.

Cecile Richards, President of Planned ParenthoodPolitico suggests that Casey is not comfortable with the Stupak amendment as it stands. His move to find a less controversial amendment may raise new objections from the Catholic Church.

The New York Times writes that both sides say that the response to the Stupak amendement is overwhelming on both sides, igniting the ‘culture wars’ in a way not seen in decades.

Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, says “Congressman Stupak managed to crystallize this movement in a way that is hard to replicate.”

The NYTimes analyzes the debate reminding readers that neither side is looking for major changes in current health care legislation and cites a recent Pew Report stating that the issue of abortion-funding isn’t high on American’s list of priorities.

The Times article makes no mention of the sidebar issue of the aggressive and openly intrusive presence of the Catholic Church in the halls of Congress. Personally, we believe that the women’s rights response is as much about this perceived threat to future legislation and governance for women, as the actual topic of abortion rights. Anne