Anti-abortion activists have launched a full-blown lobbying campaign to
give Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) — a key lawmaker in the movement — the powerful gavel of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, which sets policy on abortion.
The new focus on the Pennsylvania Republican may suggest that well-informed interest groups have concluded that moderate Michigan Rep. Fred Upton is likely to win the contested chairmanship of the full Energy and Commerce Committee.
In a letter sent Thursday to members of the panel of House GOP leaders who pick committee chairmen, the National Right to Life Committee’s legislative director, Douglas Johnson, wrote that anti-abortion activists could only accept the election of Upton as chairman of Energy and Commerce if Pitts is assigned to run the Health Subcommittee and abortion foes win seats on the committee.
“Because Mr. Upton’s record demonstrates a disagreement with pro-life policies on multiple critical issues that fall within the jurisdiction of the Energy and Commerce Committee, we urge you to withhold support for his ascension to the chairmanship,” Johnson wrote, “unless and until there is assurance that the Health Subcommittee will be chaired by Mr. Pitts, and unless all of the Republican vacancies on the committee will be filled by members who are firmly committed to pro-life positions.”
The Susan B. Anthony List, a political action committee that supports anti-abortion candidates, joined the NRLC Friday morning.
“Given Congressman Fred Upton’s record, Congressman Joe Pitts’ appointment as chairman of the Health Subcommittee — the critical subcommittee for abortion policy — is a non-negotiable,” SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said.
Abortion rights supporters at NARAL Pro-Choice America blasted the push for Pitts as “ridiculous,” noting that the committee manages many programs touching women’s health issues, including the health reform law and family planning.
“Putting Joe Pitts in charge of a committee that oversees women’s health programs is like putting Lindsay Lohan in charge of celebrity rehab. It’s just ridiculous,” NARAL president Nancy Keenan said in a statement.
Pitts voted against allowing Planned Parenthood clinics to participate in federal family planning programs and received a 0 percent “pro-choice” ranking from NARAL last year. He co-authored the Stupak-Pitts Amendment to health reform that, if it had passed, would have greatly restricted insurance providers’ ability to cover abortion.
That’s exactly why he’s so popular with social conservatives, many of whom are wary of Upton’s record on “life” issues, including abortion, contraception and stem cell research.
Indeed, many influential conservatives, including Redstate.com’s Erick Erickson and radio host Rush Limbaugh have been on the warpath against Upton, who is next in line in seniority to chair the committee if the Republican Steering Committee does not give a term-limit waiver to Texas Rep. Joe Barton, currently the top Republican on the panel.
Barton met with incoming Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) Wednesday night, though aides to the two lawmakers declined to provide details on their conversation.
This is very intresting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post.
Dear admin, thnx for sharing this blog post. I found it wonderful. Best regards, Victoria…
You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.