On Thursday, February 19th, by a vote of 5-2, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed Senate Resolution 156 (SR 156) out of committee. This resolution now moves to the Senate Rules Committee and is likely to go before the entire Senate for a floor vote.

SR 156, sponsored by Senator Shafer, urges opposition to the federal Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). 

The snag...the federal Freedom of Choice Act doesn't EXIST!

If supporters of this resolution were really interested in decreasing the number of unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion, they would support common-sense measures like ensuring access to family planning services and promoting abstinence-based comprehensive sex education. 

Urge your Senator to:

Don’t waste time on phantom bills like SR 156!  During this economic crisis, please work on strategies to strengthen our under-funded public health system to ensure that Georgians most in need will continue to receive preventative health care services like:

• Family planning counseling and services
• STD Screening and Treatment
• Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Please OPPOSE SR 156!

I am gravely concerned about SR 156. It opposes a phantom bill that has not been introduced in the 111th Congress. The Freedom of Choice Act, which would codify the rights enunciated in Roe v. Wade, had been introduced under the 110th Congress. It has not been introduced in the 111th Congress, and may not be introduced at all. The focus now is on implementing policies which provide women and men with the information they need to make healthy choices, prevent unintended pregnancies, and plan for healthy ones. During this economic crisis, please work on strategies to strengthen our under-funded public health system to ensure that Georgians most in need will continue to receive preventive health care services.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 23, 2009