Pro-Life Update

Bureau of Elections Resumes Processing Dismemberment Ban Petitions The Michigan Bureau of Elections resumed the vetting process for the petition drive to end dismemberment abortions. The Bureau set June 1 as the deadline for challenges to the signatures. Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, “It’s been nearly a year since we began collecting signatures to end this violent late-term abortion procedure. This petition drive has overcome an exhaustive list of challenges, including a global pandemic. We are excited to finally see the end of this process.” Read the full story here. Federal Funds for COVID-19 Releif Cannot be Used to Fund Abortion Good news! Planned Parenthood will receive NO FUNDING from the Federal Government’s Paycheck Protection Program designed to assist small businesses battered by Covid-19. The White House has acted to ensure that the "Paycheck Protection Program money is used for saving jobs at small businesses, not getting the government into the business of funding abortion,” a senior administration official said. “There is broad bipartisan support for the idea that American taxpayers should not have to fund abortion,” the official said. Read more.

Threats to Homeschooling and Parental Rights

HSLDA responds to Harvard Professor's Attack on Homeschooling and Parental Rights CTV agrees with HSLDA that, "Children are a gift from God to parents, and parents are entrusted with the duty to love, protect, nurture, direct, provide for, and educate their children." HSLDA President J. Michael Smith provides a strong refutation of the claims made by Harvard Professor Elizabeth Bartholet's recent article in the Arizona Law Review. Her article attempts to make the case for effectively outlawing homeschooling in America. Smith's refutation includes a powerful legal analysis and historical perspective on the fundamental right of educational liberty in this country and is well worth the read. He explains that, "When parents make decisions regarding the upbringing and education of their children, there is a legal presumption that they are acting in the child’s best interest. This includes when they choose to homeschool. This position is supported by a United States Supreme Court case, Parham v. J.R." As the Court's decision contends, 'The statist notion that governmental power should supersede parental authority in all cases because some parents abuse and neglect children is repugnant to the American tradition.' " Read the full response here.

Good Governance, the Constitution & COVID-19

Stay informed on the Constitutional Crisis Facing Michigan Watch this update from Professor William Wagner to hear the latest on the Constitutional Crisis facing Michigan and learn how you can make a difference. Together we can move the needle of public policy and restore a lawful and just balance of power. Watch here. Important Religious Liberty Case Before the Supreme Court: Little Sisters of the Poor fight for Religious Exemption to Obamacare Contraceptive Mandate Faith-based organizations and businesses like the Catholic charity Little Sisters of the Poor and Christian-owned retailer Hobby Lobby are pushing back against the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, who refuse to allow religious exemptions to Obamacare. After the 2014 ruling in the Hobby Lobby Case and a more recent Trump administration rule on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that protected faith based organizations, Pennsylvania and New Jersey sought national injunctions. The two states argued that the federal government does not have the authority to guard against its own encroachment on religious liberty. However, the Little Sisters and other faith-based organizations have now backed down and maintain their moral right not to fund medical treatments that prevent or terminate pregnancies. A ruling on this important case is expected in the fall. CTV will continue to keep you informed about this important case as it pertains to the religious liberty and the pro-life moment. Read more.

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