Pressure Grows Over Stupak-Pitts Amendment, Calls For IRS Investigation Of Bishops Attacked

11/13/09-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
The lobbying by the Roman Catholic Bishops to get the Stupak-Pitts Amendment made into law has drawn the ire of several people, including MSNBC commentator Dr. Nancy Snyderman. On a recent episode of her show, Dr. Snyderman and Terry O’Neill, President of the National Organization for Women, discussed this particular issue, and the fact that, as a religious institution, the Roman Catholic Church is not suppose to be involved in political activities due to the First Amendment’s clause regarding state establishment of religion. NOW is a non-profit as well, but because it is not religious in nature, is exempt from the threat of losing its status over political activities.

Often times, the Conservatives talk about the Stupak-Pitts Amendment as if it maintains the status quo, but what it does is effectively make it impossible to get coverage for a voluntary abortion, which is not the same as what many anti-choice groups would have many people believe.

“I started getting calls and E-mails and texts saying, you know, there’s a deal that’s been cut and a terrible, disastrous deal. The Stupak/Pitts amendment, in fact, I believe, essentially overrules Roe v. Wade. That’s the intention of the Catholic bishops who pushed it. That, I believe, is the intention Mr. Stupak and Mr. Pitts who offered it,” stated Ms O’Neill. While slightly hyperbolic, the intention of this amendment would, in essence, prevent many poorer women from being able to afford abortions.

Dr. Snyderman, who does not make many of the same protestation of impartiality as some cable news commentators, stated later in the interview, “This is going to be a Pollyannaish statement. The Catholic bishops appearing and having a political voice seems to be a most fundamental violation of church and state.” To this, Ms O’Neill responded “You know, that’s the first thing that I said. I don’t know where the Internal Revenue Service is, but I hope they’re paying attention.” Of course, Representative Lynn Woolsey has already called on the IRS to investigate the Catholic Church for its activities directly related to their lobbying activities during the build up to the Stupak-Pitts Amendment.

Despite Scott Whitlock’s attempts to make it appear that Dr. Snyderman and Terry O’Neill are, somehow, engaged in some form of hatchet job against the Roman Catholic Church, it is clear that the amendment itself was heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic Bishops, and that is shaky with regards to legality. He also ignores the fact that Dr. Snyderman is not labeled as being totally impartial.

It should be noted that the Stupak-Pitts Amendment may face the biggest issue possible. According to some, it is possible that the amendment may be stripped if the Democrats make the decision to push the healthcare reform through via Budget Reconciliation. It would not meet the requirements regarding the process.

It has been common practice for the Conservatives to employ