H.R. 223 – The Informed Choice Act
Sponsored by Congressman Cliff Stearns (FL)

H.R. 223 would provide grants for pregnancy help medical clinics to purchase ultrasound machines. Learn more about the Informed Choice Act here.

H.R. 471 – Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2007
Sponsored by Congressman Joe Wilson (SC)

H.R. 471 would make permanent a $10,000 tax credit for expenses related to certain domestic and international adoptions. Learn more about the Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2007 here.

H.R. 1063 - Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA)
Sponsored by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL)

H.R. 1063 makes it a Federal crime to transport a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion in order to evade a parental consent or notification law in the minor’s home state. Over 30 states currently have parental consent or notification laws and H.R. 1063 will enforce those laws to protect minors. Learn more about the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act here.

H.R. 1088 – The Elizabeth Cady Stanton Pregnant and Parenting Students Act
Sponsored by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH) & Congresswoman Sue Myrick (NC)

H.R. 1088 would establish a program to provide grants to universities to operate support offices for pregnant and parenting students. These offices will also serve students considering adoption. Learn more about the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Pregnant and Parenting Students Act here.

S. 350 – Abortion Non-Discrimination Act
Sponsored by Senator David Vitter (LA)

S. 350 would prohibit health care providers, including individuals, hospitals, insurers, etc., from being penalized for refusing to participate in an abortion. Learn more about the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act here.

S. 351 – Title X Family Planning Act
Sponsored by Senator David Vitter (LA)

S. 351 would prohibit Title X family planning funds from going to grantees that perform abortions other than to save the life of the mother. Learn more about the Title X Family Planning Act here.

S. 356 – Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act
Sponsored by Senator Sam Brownback (KS)

S. 356 would require an abortionist to provide information regarding the pain the unborn baby experiences during abortion to all women considering an abortion beyond 20 weeks of fertilization. The woman would also be given the opportunity to administer pain-reducing drugs for the unborn baby. S. 356 is in response to congressional findings that unborn babies experience significant pain during abortion. Learn more about the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act here.

New Congress Plans Immediate Vote on Embryonic Stem Cell Research

One of the first pieces of legislation to be considered by the newly-elected Congresswould mandate federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. On Thursday, January 11, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to debate House Resolution 3 that will be similar or identical to a bill passed by the House and Senate last year. President Bush vetoed that bill and is expected to veto any new efforts to expand federal funding of unethical and unproven embryonic stem cell research. The House and the Senate would likely attempt to override a presidential veto.

Update - Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passes U.S. House
On January 11, the United States House of Representatives passed legislation to federally fund embryonic stem cell research by a vote of 253-174. The White House immediately voiced opposition to the bill and President Bush has vowed to veto it should it reach his desk. Fortunately, the vote tally falls far short of the required two-thirds majority that would be required to override a presidential veto.

The legislation now moves to the Senate as S. 5 and is expected to receive a vote in the next few months. For more information on stem cell research, visit www.stemcellresearch.org or www.stemcellresearchfacts.com.