Press Memo

September 1, 2006

Sharon F. Toborg

U.S. Senate Running Out of Time to Protect Vulnerable Teens

 

VRLC Applauds Shepard for Calling on Leahy and Jeffords to Stop Obstructionist Tactics

 

The Vermont Right to Life Committee applauds Mark Shepard, Republican candidate for the US House, for calling upon both Senators Leahy and Jeffords to end the obstructionist tactics preventing the Child Custody Protection Act (CCPA) S. 403, legislation from reaching the President’s desk for his signature.

 

Despite a 65 to 34 vote in the U.S. Senate on July 25 to pass a bill to prohibit transporting minors across state lines for abortions in violation of parents' rights, the Senate Democratic leadership is using extraordinary procedural tactics to try to kill the bill. Time is of the essence – after returning from a month-long recess on September 5th, Congress has only five weeks of session left before recessing in early October for the fall congressional election campaigns.

 

Mark Shepard is the ONLY candidate for the US House who has been consistent and clear about where he stands on this important issue,” stated VRLC Treasurer Sharon Toborg.  “I personally e-mailed the Rainville Campaign over a month ago with a question about her position, and despite her pledge to tell Vermonters where she stands on important issues, this Vermonter has not been told.”

 

“It is unfortunate that Senators Leahy and Jeffords will not use their seniority and clout to get the Democrat obstructionists to stop their stalling tactics,” continued Toborg.

 

The July 25, 2006 vote on S. 403 marked the first time the issue has come to a vote in the US Senate.  Senator Leahy and Senator Jeffords both voted in opposition to CCPA.  In April of 2005, an expanded version entitled the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANNA), H.R. 748, passed the House by a vote of 270 – 157 - 8.  Congressman Bernie Sanders has voted 10 times to either oppose the legislation, to vote in favor of amendments to nullify the provisions or to send the bill back to committee.