Week Ending May 9, 2003
Religious Freedom Coalition
May 9, 2003 8:19PM EST

CONGRESS IN SESSION

THE ADMINISTRATION

The Solicitor General of the United States, Theodore B. Olson, has issued a brilliant 32 page defense of "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The brief has been filed with the Supreme Court. The Administration of George W. Bush intends to defend the use of "Under God." In a press release his office stated, "Our religious heritage has been recognized and celebrated for hundreds of years in the National Motto ("In God We Trust"), National Anthem, Declaration of Independence, and Gettysburg Address. As the Court has ruled again and again, our government and people can acknowledge the important role religion has played in America's foundation, history and character. The Justice Department will vigorously defend our nation's heritage and our children's ability to recite the Pledge." The President does appreciate letters of support on issues such as this. I urge you to thank President George W. Bush for directing the office of the Solicitor General to pursue a defense of "Under God" in the Pledge.

I plan to attend the actual hearing of the "Under God" case when it comes before the Supreme Court. I will not be allowed to carry a sign of support, but I can wear the official "Under God" Pledge tie. These ties showing support of "Under God" in the Pledge are still available from RFC's online store.

The Presidential landing on the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln has brought forth laughable objections from liberal Democrats. The complaints range from the cost of the landing to the fact that he wore a flight suit during the short flight from California to the Abraham Lincoln. Let me point out that President George W. Bush is the commander-in-chief and he can wear any military uniform he chooses and that secondly he is a fighter pilot as was his father before him. The President was more than qualified to sit at the controls of the Viking having been trained as an F-104 fighter pilot.

THE HOUSE

The Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003 (HR-1997) sponsored by Congresswoman Melissa Hart (R-PA) may come to the floor of the House for a vote as early as this coming week or the week after according to the office of Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO). Just as recently as last week Republican leaders in both the House and Senate had the bill on the back burner. At a meeting last week I urged both House and Senate leaders to move the bill forward because of the shift caused in public opinion by the Laci Peterson case in California.

The murder of Laci Peterson and her unborn child, Connor, has changed the way the media reports these kinds of crimes. Even the liberal media is reporting "two bodies" having been found and many newspapers have used the child's name in their reports. This has made the far left, particularly the pro-abortion groups, livid. In the May issue of the William J Murray Report I go into detail on the changing attitude of the media regarding abortion.

The family of Laci Peterson has strongly endorsed the bill which I personally believe should be named after her and her son, Connor. In a letter to Congress the family stated, "Knowing that the perpetrators who murder pregnant women will pay a price not only for the loss of the mother, but for the child, will help bring justice for these victims and hopefully act as a deterrent to those considering such heinous acts."

Scott Peterson has been charged with two counts of murder in this case because California is one of 24 states which bans killing a fetus other than by means of abortion. No such law exists in 26 other states or in areas controlled by the federal jurisdiction. This bill would apply only to Federal jurisdiction such as military bases and federal lands and parks. However, having the Unborn Victims of Violence act enacted as federal law would rapidly lead to the remaining 26 states enacting their own versions as well.

In previous sessions of Congress the bill has passed twice but has never been approved by the Senate. Senator Oren Hatch has stated that he plans to move the bill with the aid of Majority Leader Bill Frist directly to the floor without it once again being "bogged down" in committee by pro-abortion Senators. Senators such as Ted Kennedy believe that an unborn child should never be defined as a human being and have vowed to derail the bill.

The Partial Birth Abortion Ban (HR-760) may also reach the floor of the House within two weeks according to the office of the Majority Whip. In various versions the bill has been passed by the House numerous times during the years of the Clinton Administration. The House always had enough votes to override Clinton's veto of the bill but that was not true in the Senate. Some years the Senate fell just one vote short of overturning the Clinton veto threat. On the other hand President George W. Bush has stated he welcomes the legislation and will sign it. In a reversal of roles the Senate has already passed the Partial Birth Abortion Ban. The House has held up a vote to fine tune language to overcome a Supreme Court decision on a state version of the act. I can promise you that the bill will pass the House and will be signed by President George W. Bush. (Background Information)

The Charitable Giving Act of 2003 (HR-7) authored by Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) is moving through the House for a vote as well. Although not well publicized this is an important bill. It would allow individuals to receive a tax deduction for contributions from their IRAs to non-profit organizations and churches. As the tax code stands now withdrawals from IRAs are treated as income. "Our country's charities face a crunch," said Blunt. "Our bill will help expand their base of resources, so they can continue to do the good work of helping the hungry, the sick, the addicted, and the elderly. The Charitable Giving Act will encourage Americans to tap into their resources to help those less fortunate." No date has been set on a vote.

THE SENATE

Senator Mike DeWine is the Senate sponsor of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (S-146). Although passed twice before by the House there has never been a vote in the Senate. Senator DeWine with the help of Senator Hatch (R-UT) hopes to change that in coming weeks. "Clearly there are two victims in these crimes, "DeWine stated about cases such as that involving Laci Peterson and her son Connor. NARAL, NOW and other pro-abortion groups refuse to recognize an unborn child as a human being even five seconds before a live birth. They have vowed to fight the legislation to the end.

The confirmation of judges has turned into a joke in the Senate. Today marks exactly two years since Particia Owen and Miguel Estrada were appointed to Federal judgeships by President Bush. Although both are well qualified, Senate Democrats continue the filibuster against them. Senator Ted Kennedy has admitted to a "litmus test" for Democrat support for judges. He has stated that any judge he believes would weaken Roe v Wade in any way cannot be allowed to pass out of the Senate process. This is a grave injustice to the legal system of this nation.

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

The May edition of the William J Murray Report is now available at www.rfcnet.org. This month's edition includes a lengthy story on the homosexual and occult roots of the Nazi Party. The question arises as to whether Adolph Hitler himself was a homosexual. This is a must read edition of our newsletter.

William J Murray, Chairman

Religious Freedom Coalition, Washington, DC

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