HHS Mandate is in effect

Today, August 1, is the first implementation date for the HHS mandate.

Starting today, the average pro-life American or business owner will have no protections against the requirement that all health insurance plans cover contraception, sterilizations, and abortion drugs with no copay.  The next time their health insurance plans renew over the next year, this requirement will be in effect.

While we are still waiting on the outcome of many court cases, on Friday, a Carter-appointed judge in Denver provided a preliminary injunction against the HHS mandate to the Newland family, the Catholic owners of a HVAC company in Colorado. This case, led by Alliance Defending Freedom, is a welcomed initial victory for religious freedom.

UN Disabilities Treaty Currently Entangles Abortion into the US Constitution

Language in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that specifically references domestic issues outside the realm of "disabilities" requires further explanation. Article 25(a) of the Convention addresses the range and quality of health care, including "sexual and reproductive health".

The previous Administration found it necessary to submit statements explicitly declaring that these terms do not include abortion. Poland, Malta, and Monaco made similar reservations when they signed the treaty.

However, no language defining sexual and reproductive health has been placed in the Administration’s instrument of ratification, and an attempt to do so in the Foreign Relations Committee was defeated.

D.C. Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act filed as amendment to S. 3414 in Senate.

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has filed the “D.C. Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” as an amendment to S. 3414, which is now pending in the Senate.

AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND PROPOSED

SA 2716. Mr. LEE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 3414, supra; which was ordered to lie on the table.

TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

   SA 2716. Mr. LEE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 3414, to enhance the security and resiliency of the cyber and communications infrastructure of the United States; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

House Schedule Remaining

On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.Con.Res. 127 - Expressing the sense of Congress regarding actions to preserve and advance the multistakeholder governance model under which the Internet has thrived (Sponsored by Rep. Mary Bono Mack / Energy and Commerce Committee)
2) H.R. 4273 - Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2012 (Sponsored by Rep. Pete Olson / Energy and Commerce Committee)
3) H.R. 897 - Residential and Commuter Toll Fairness Act of 2011 (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Grimm / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
4) H.R. 5797 - Mille Lacs Lake Freedom To Fish Act of 2012 (Sponsored by Rep. Chip Cravaack / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
5) H.R. 3158 - Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship Act (Sponsored by Rep. Rick Crawford / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
6) H.R. 1171 - Marine Debris Act Amendments of 2012 (Sponsored by Rep. Sam Farr / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
7) H.R. 2446 - RESPA Home Warranty Clarification Act of 2011 (Sponsored by Rep. Judy Biggert / Financial Services Committee)
8) H.R. 2139 - Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Pete Roskam / Financial Services Committee)
9) H.R. 3187 - March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act of 2011, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Robert Dold / Financial Services Committee)
10) H.R. 4104 - Pro Football Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Jim Renacci / Financial Services Committee)
11) S. 3363 - To provide for the use of National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin surcharges, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Sen. Saxby Chambliss / Financial Services Committee)

H.R. __ - To provide a one-year extension of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, with certain modifications and exceptions, to make supplemental agricultural disaster assistance available for fiscal years 2012 and 2013, and for other purposes (Subject to a Rule)
(Sponsored by Rep. Frank Lucas / Agriculture Committee)

H.R. 8 -  Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act of 2012 (Subject to a Rule)
(Sponsored by Rep. Dave Camp / Ways and Means Committee / Budget Committee)

H.R. 6169 - Pathway to Job Creation through a Simpler, Fairer Tax Code Act of 2012 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. David Dreier / Rules Committee)