Religious Freedom Coalition - Promoting Religious Freedom and Family Based Legislation
RFC Home Give a Gift Online Store Legislation Newsletter Subscribe About RFC Archives Search




Click here or on the image above to learn more about William J. Murray’s most recent book, The Pledge: One Nation Under God

Week Ending April 2, 2004
Religious Freedom Coalition
April 2, 2004 4:58PM EST

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - WEEK ENDING APRIL 2, 2004

CONGRESS IN SESSION

THE PRESIDENCY

Yesterday (April 1, 2004) members of the Religious Freedom Coalition staff were privileged to be in attendance as President George W. Bush signed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (Laci and Connor's Law). As of yesterday the Unborn Victims of Violence Act is federal law. This does not mean that all unborn babies are protected from violence against their mothers. The UVVA only applies to instances where federal, not state law applies such as on federal property. California, where Laci Peterson and her baby were murdered, has such a law, but 29 other states have no such legislation at all. (See state list) For the first time at the federal level an unborn baby is recognized as a human being, as a separate entity from the mother. For this reason the abortion industry fought this law tooth and nail. The battle lasted for five years during three congressional sessions, but in the end, reason and humanity prevailed. Still, the law does not stop a mother from ending the life of her own unborn child.

On signing the UVVA into law, President George W. Bush said, "As of today, the law of our nation will acknowledge the plain fact that crimes of violence against a pregnant woman often have two victims. (Applause.) And therefore, in those cases, there are two offenses to be punished. Under this law, those who direct violence toward a pregnant woman will answer for the full extent of the harm they have done, and for all the crimes they have committed." (Read text or watch video)

Ron and Sharon Rocha, the step-father and mother of murder victim Laci Peterson, and Carol and Buford Lyons who lost their daughter Ashley and unborn grandson Landon to murder just this past January, were present to witness the signing. After the signing ceremony President George W. Bush hugged each of the women who were either the victims or the mothers of victims of violence. The President had been truly touched by their stories and his presentation at the opening of the event made that very clear.

The Bush reelection team immediately issued a comparison sheet that showed how vehemently Senator John Kerry has fought against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. (See pdf) Senator Kerry has promised the Democrat party base that he will undo any and all pro-life measures signed into law by President George W. Bush if he is elected to the presidency this November.

THE SENATE

UVVA

I saw several familiar faces from the Senate at the UVVA signing in the East Room of the White House including Senator Santorum who is one of the great champions of the pro-life movement. Also present were Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL). The Majority Leader of the Senate, Dr. Bill Frist (R-TN) took time out of his busy schedule to be there, which indicates the level of importance he has given to the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), who is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee acted as one of the official witnesses of signing as did the chief sponsor of the act, Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH). Even though the Senators entered the room in an informal manner at different times, many received spontaneous applause from those present for their work on the passage of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act.

In the end the vote looked nonpartisan with sixty-one Senators including eleven Democrats voting for it, but, underneath the vote totals lies a different story. Forty-nine Senators, including three Republicans, had voted to gut the bill with an amendment offered by pro-abortionist Senator Diane Feinstein. (D-CA) If her amendment had passed and been added to the UVVA, only one victim-- not two-- would have been recognized. Senator John Kerry, who has missed 74% of all Senate votes this year, made a point to fly back to Washington, DC to vote for the Feinstein amendment and then against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. Senator Kerry did not meet with victims who had come to Washington to urge the passage of the bill. Senator Specter (R-PA), an outspoken proponent of abortion, voted with Senator Kerry for the Feinstein amendment, but because he is in a fierce primary campaign with conservative Congressman Pat Toomey (R-PA), Specter was forced to vote for final passage of the UVVA.

THE HOUSE

UVVA

When Congressman Henry Hyde (R-IL) walked into the East Room of the White House for the UVVA signing, everyone in the room rose to their feet and applauded. Congressman Hyde, as former chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, pushed for several sessions of Congress to pass the Partial Birth Abortion Ban and then worked for the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-TX) also received applause when he entered the room. The fact that both

Majority Leader DeLay and Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) appeared at this event showed just how important it is to Republican party leadership. Several other congressmen were in attendance including the bill's House sponsor, Melissa Hart (R-PA), Jo Ann Davis (R-VA) and House Judiciary Chairman James Sennsenbrenner (R-WI).

SAME SEX MARRIAGE

On Tuesday, March 30th, the House Judiciary Committee on the Constitution held hearings on the Federal Marriage Amendment. One would expect that conservative Republicans would have been for the FMA and liberal Democrats against it, but that was not the case. Ultra conservative former congressman Bob Barr (R-GA) testified that "Changing the Constitution is just unnecessary." Barr went on to say, "We have a perfectly good law on the books that defends marriage on the federal level and protects states from having to dilute their definitions of marriage by recognizing same sex marriage licenses." He was referring to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which was passed and signed into law in 1996. John Hanes, the Republican chairman of Wyoming's Senate Judiciary Committee also testified against the FMA stating, "There is no reason to push a very divisive issue on the country when the states have the tools now to resolve this issue themselves." Representatives of social conservative groups such as the ACLJ's Vincent McCarthy testified on behalf of the FMA stating: "...it is always possible that a judge will come up with a decision that doesn't make sense." The House leadership is moving slowly on the FMA for now, waiting for grassroots efforts to move more congressmen to indicate they will vote for the FMA when it reaches the floor of the House. To tell your congressman how you feel about the Federal Marriage Amendment you can contact him at www.congress.org. In the House the FMA is sponsored by Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO)

EASTER

"....thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24: 46-47.

THE LAST SUPPER

Easter about cute fuzzy bunnies or about the Salvation of mankind? When I visit the homes of some Christians during the Easter season it is hard to tell. In my home we display a plaque of the Last Supper etched in Jerusalem stone. In the past the RFC has offered Jerusalem stone plaques of the Ten  Commandments. Because of their popularity, several new items, many suitable for Easter, have been added to the Holy Land section of our Internet store. Funds from the sale of these Jerusalem stone items support the work of the Religious Freedom Coalition.

RFC NEWS

As of today this weekly Legislative Update has more than 82,000 opt-in subscribers including hundreds of Hill staffers! Help spread the word about this timely in depth report to your friends by forwarding a copy of this update to them. (Those receiving this copy as a forward can subscribe at www.rfcnet.org)

To assist us in our work with credit card gifts click here!

William J. Murray, Chairman - Religious Freedom Coalition  - PO Box 77511 - Washington, DC 20013

Please address all comments and questions to support@rfcnet.org.

To Subscribe or be removed click here!

Email this Article Printer Friendly Version

Related Articles
- Week Ending November 1, 2002
- Week Ending October 25, 2002
- Week Ending November 8, 2002
- Week Ending October 18, 2002
- Week Ending November 15, 2002
- Week Ending November 22nd
- Week Ending November 29th
- April 2002 Newsletter
- Week Ending December 6, 2002
- Week Ending December 13, 2002
- Week Ending December 20th, 2002
- Week Ending December 27, 2002
- Week Ending January 17, 2003
- Week Ending January 10, 2003
- Week Ending January 24th
- Week Ending January 31st
- Week Ending February 7, 2003
- Week Ending February 14, 2003
- Week Ending February 21, 2003
- Week Ending February 28, 2003
- Week Ending March 7th
- Week Ending March 14, 2003
- Week Ending March 21, 2003
- Week Ending March 28, 2003
- Week Ending April 4, 2003
- April, 2003 Newsletter
- Week Ending April 11, 2003
- Week Ending April 18, 2003
- Week Ending April 25, 2003
- Week Ending May 2, 2003
- Week Ending May 9, 2003
- Week Ending May 16, 2003
- Week Ending May 23, 2003
- Week Ending May 30, 2003 - Washington, D.C.
- Week Ending June 6, 2003 - Washington, D.C.
- Week Ending June 13, 2003
- Week Ending June 20, 2003
- Week Ending June 27, 2003
- Week Ending July 4, 2003
- Week Ending July 11, 2003
- Week Ending July 18, 2003
- Week Ending July 25, 2003
- Week Ending August 1, 2003
- Week Ending August 8, 2003
- Week Ending August 15, 2003
- Week Ending August 22, 2003
- Week Ending August 29, 2003
- Week Ending September 5, 2003
- Week Ending September 12, 2003
- Week Ending September 19, 2003
- Week Ending September 26, 2003
- WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 3, 2003
- Week Ending October 10, 2003
- Week Ending October 17, 2003
- Week Ending October 24, 2003
- Week Ending October 31, 2003
- Week Ending November 7, 2003
- Week Ending November 14, 2003
- Week Ending November 21, 2003
- Week Ending November 28, 2003
- Week Ending December 5, 2003
- Week Ending December 12, 2003
- Week Ending December 19, 2003
- Week Ending December 26, 2003
- Week Ending January 2, 2004
- Week Ending January 9, 2004
- Week Ending January 16, 2004
- Week Ending January 23, 2004
- Week Ending January 30, 2004
- Weekend Ending February 6, 2004
- Week Ending February 13, 2004
- Constitution Restoration Act of 2004
- Week Ending Feburary 20, 2004
- Week Ending February 27, 2004
- Religious Freedom Quarterly January-March 2004
- Week Ending March 5, 2004
- Week Ending March 12, 2004
- WEEK ENDING MARCH 19, 2004
- Week Ending March 26, 2004
- Week Ending April 9, 2004
- Week Ending April 16, 2004
- WEEK ENDING APRIL 23, 2004
- Week Ending April 30, 2004
- Week Ending May 7, 2004
- Religious Freedom Quarterly ... April - June 2004
- Week Ending May 14, 2004
- Week Ending May 21, 2004
- Week Ending May 28, 2004
- Week Ending June 4, 2004
- Week Ending June 11, 2004
- Week Ending June 18, 2004
- Week Ending June 25, 2004
- Week Ending July 2, 2004
- Week Ending July 9, 2004
- Week Ending July 16, 2004
- Week Ending July 23, 2004
- Chairman's Report for July 28, 2004
- Chairman's Report for July 9, 2004
- Week Ending July 30, 2004
- Week Ending August 6, 2004
- Week Ending August 13, 2004
- Week Ending August 20, 2004
- Week Ending September 3, 2004
- Week Ending September 10, 2004
- Chairman's Report for September 8, 2004 Available
- Chairman's Report for August 17, 2004 Available
- Week Ending September 17, 2004
- Week Ending September 24, 2004
- Week Ending October 1, 2004
- Week Ending October 8, 2004
- Week Ending October 15, 2004
- Week Ending October 22, 2004
- Chairman's Report for October 20, 2004
- Week Ending October 29, 2004
- Week Ending November 5, 2004
- Chairman's Report for November 10, 2004
- Week Ending November 12, 2004
- Week Ending November 19, 2004
- Week Ending November 26, 2004
- Week Ending December 3, 2004
- Week Ending December 10, 2004
- Week Ending December 17, 2004
- Week Ending December 24, 2004
- Chairman's Report for December 16, 2004
- FINAL 2004 UPDATE
- Week Ending January 7, 2005
- Week Ending January 14, 2005
- Week Ending January 21, 2005
- Week Ending January 26, 2005
- Week Ending February 4, 2005
- Week Ending February 11, 2005
- Week Ending February 18, 2005
- Week Ending February 25, 2005
- Week Ending March 4, 2005
- Week Ending March 11, 2005
- Week Ending March 18, 2005
- Week Ending March 25, 2005
- Week Ending April 1, 2005
- Week Ending April 8, 2005
- Week Ending April 15, 2005
- Week Ending April 22, 2005
- Chairman's Report For April 27, 2005
- Week Ending April 29, 2005
- Week Ending May 6, 2005
- Week Ending May 13, 2005
- Week Ending May 20, 2005
- SPECIAL MIDWEEK UPDATE
- WEEK ENDING MAY 27, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JUNE 3, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JUNE 10, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JUNE 17, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JUNE 24, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JULY 1, 2005
- Week Ending July 8, 2005
- Week Ending July 15, 2005
- Week Ending July 22, 2005
- Week Ending July 29, 2005
- Week Ending August 5, 2005
- Week Ending August 12, 2005
- Week Ending August 19, 2005
- Week Ending August 26, 2005
- Week Ending September 2, 2005
- Week Ending September 9, 2005
- Week Ending September 16, 2005
- Week Ending September 23, 2005
- Week Ending September 30, 2005
- WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 07, 2005
- Week Ending October 14, 2005
- Week Ending October 21, 2005
- Week Ending October 28, 2005
- Week Ending November 4, 2005
- Week Ending November 11, 2005
- Week Ending November 18, 2005
- Week Ending November 25, 2005
- Week Ending December 2, 2005
- Week Ending December 9, 2005
- Week Ending December 16, 2005 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 23, 2005
- Week Ending December 30, 2005
- Week Ending January 6. 2006
- Week Ending January 13, 2006
- Week Ending January 20, 2006
- Week Ending January 27, 2006
- Week Ending February 3, 2006
- Week Ending February 10, 2006
- Week Ending February 17, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 24, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 3, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 10, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 17, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 24, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 31, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 7, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 14, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 21, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 28, 2006
- Week Ending May 5, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 12, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 19, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 26, 2006
- Week Ending June 2, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 9, 2006
- Week Ending June 16, 2006
- Week Ending June 24, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 30, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 7, 2006
- Week Ending July 14, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 21, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 28, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 4, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 11, 2006- From Washington D.C.
- Week Ending August 18, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 25, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 1, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 8, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 15, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 22, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 29, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 6, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Weeking Ending October 13, 2006
- Week Ending October 20, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 27, 2006
- Week Ending November 3, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 10, 2006
- Week Ending November 17, 2006
- Week Ending November 24, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 1, 2006
- Week Ending December 15, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 8, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 22, 2006
- Week Ending December 28, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 5, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 12, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 19, 2007
- Week Ending January 26, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 2, 2007
- Week Ending February 9, 2007
- Week Ending February, 16, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 23, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 2, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 9, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 16, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 23, 2007- Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 30, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 6, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 13, 2007
- Week Ending April 20, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 27, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 18, 2007
- Week Ending May 11, 2007
- Week Ending May 4, 2007
- Chairman's Report for April 4, 2007
- Week Ending May 25, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 1, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 8, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 15, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 22, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 29, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 6, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 13, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 27, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 3, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 10, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 17, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 24, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 31, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 7, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 14, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 21, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 5, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 12, 2007
- Week Ending October 19, 2007 - Amman, Jordan
- Week Ending October 26, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 2, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 9, 2007
- Week Ending November 16, 2007
- Week Ending November 30, 2007
- Week Ending December 7, 2007
- Week Ending December 14, 2007
- Week Ending December 21, 2007
- Christmas Week 2007
- Week Ending January 4, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 11, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 18, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 25, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 1, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 8, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 15, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 22, 2008
- Week Ending February 29, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 7, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 14, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 21, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 28, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 4, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 11, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 18, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 25, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 9, 2008
- Week Ending May 2, 2008
- Week Ending May 16, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 23, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 30, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 6, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 13, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 20, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 27, 2008
- Week Ending July 4, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 11, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 18, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 25, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 1, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 8, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 15, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 22, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 29, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 5, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 12, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 19, 2008
- Week Ending October 3, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 26, 2008
- Week Ending October 10, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 17, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 24, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 31, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 7, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 14, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 21, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 5, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 12, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 19, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Christmas Week, 2008 - Washington, DC
- April 10, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 3, 2009 - Washington, DC
- April 17, 2009 - Washington, DC
- April 24, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 1, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 8, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 15, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 22, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 29, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 5, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 12, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 19, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 26, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 3, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 10, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 17, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 24, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 31, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Chairman's Report for April 23, 2009
- Chairman's Report for April 2, 2009
- Week Ending August 8, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 14, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 21, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 28, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 4, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week ending September 11, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week ending September 18, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 25, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 2, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 9, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 16, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 23, 2009
- Week Ending October 30, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 6, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 13, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week ending November 20, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 5, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 11, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 18, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Christmas Week, 2009 - Washington, DC
- April 2, 2010 - Washington, DC
- April 9, 2010 - Washington, DC
- April 16, 2010 - Washington, DC
- April 23, 2010 - Washington, DC
- April 30, 2010 - Washington, DC
- Chairman's Report for April 14, 2010

Home | Make this my Home Page
Give a Gift | Online Store | Legislation | Newsletter | Subscribe | About RFC | Archives | Search


 Religious Freedom Coalition
P.O. Box 77511
Washington, DC 20013


General Correspondence: support@rfcnet.org
Special Events: events@rfcnet.org
 DC Advocacy Office: (202) 543-0300
Administration: (202) 742-8990