The Unveiling
With a new working majority as the result of last month’s elections, Republican senators anticipate greater success in passing pro-life and other “family values” bills.
“Unveiling” Plans for Action: The Family Foundation
Family Foundation representative Jessica Cochrane said they would work to a) recognize that unborn babies and their parents have protectable rights from the moment of conception; b) ban abortions after babies are able to feel pain; c) require abortion providers to inform women of their right to review an ultrasound prior to an abortion; and d) ban embryonic stem cell research.
Other bills would protect adoption agencies from being forced to place children in the custody of same-sex partners, allow student scholarship tax credits for donations to help children in non-public schools, and prevent public seizure of private property for other than essential public use.
Valley Legislators
On the House side, Ben Cline noted particular support for the bills on life, education choice, and property rights, and welcomed the close cooperation with the Forum, the Foundation, the Catholic Conference, and the Association of Southern Baptists.
Del. Steve Landes said he would propose a resolution of support for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a Commission to improve accountability between Virginia’s U.S. Senators and state legislators, and greater support for small businesses.
Tony Wilt spoke out for freezing the Standards of Quality in the public schools, for agency reform, and for farmer compensation from property damage.
Dickie Bell is considering a bill to protect public prayer, and Rob Bell is proposing bills to defend private property and permit home-schoolers to participate in public school athletics.
On the Senate side, Sen. Mark Obenshain recalled that the Senate last year was able to pass bills on clinic safety, eminent domain, abortion ban in the federal Health Exchange program, and the ban on Sweepstakes shops. He was hopeful for even better results this year with the new GOP working majority, including on the “Student Scholarship Tax Credit”, stronger Voter ID measures, and re-approval of the Eminent Domain amendment.
Pastor Matt Homer and John Sloop bracketed “The Unveiling” in prayer, concluding with a “Commissioning” for The Family Foundation and for our Valley legislators.
A Day at the Capitol
Mon., Jan. 16: Please mark your calendars to join other “Values” activists for The Family Foundation’s annual “Lobby Day” in Richmond. The keynote speaker will be Jill Stanek, who became an outspoken champion for life after having witnessed the tragedies of an abortion as a Labor & Delivery nurse. The day will also include briefings on key “Values” bills and meetings with individual Valley legislators. Stay tuned for details.
Thank you all for your encouragement and your support!
“It is in the man of piety and inward principle, that we may expect to find the uncorrupted patriot, the useful citizen, and the invincible soldier. God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable.”
John Witherspoon, Signer of the Declaration of Independence
