Issue #96

by Art Kelly

1. With closing arguments being made on California’s Proposition 8, the California Catholic Daily reported that the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) warned that, if the federal court overturns this voter-approved state constitutional amendment, it would “impact marriage laws in up to 45 other states -- including the 30 states where voters overwhelmingly adopted state constitutional amendments.”

ADF senior counsel Brian Raum said, “In America, we should respect and uphold the right of a free people to make policy choices through the democratic process. This case is as much about whether our government is of, by, and for the people as it is about marriage.”

2. Responding to a request from five senators and 26 representatives, the General Accounting Office (GAO) released the results of its study of almost $1 billion in federal funding that was received by organizations that provide abortions, or support the abortion industry, from 2002 through 2009.

The National Right to Life Committee posted a comment on its website from Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) that explained, “A significant portion of federal taxpayer funding for domestic activities was provided through grants under the Title X program which provides grants for family planning. This program provides a funding source that helps abortionists set up clinics that do family planning in one room and abortion in the next.”

LifeNews.com reported on the elaboration from Ken Blackwell, a fellow at the Family Research Council.

"Giving taxpayer money to organizations that promote and provide abortion, even if the money is not used for that purpose, frees up other funds for abortion purposes and gives the government's stamp of approval to their abortion related activities. When taxpayer money goes to abortion groups for any reason, it supports the work of the abortion industry,” Blackwell said.

Among the groups receiving funding was Planned Parenthood, which received $657.1 million. Another $93.8 million went to the International Planned Parenthood Federation. The Guttmacher Institute, the research arm of the abortion industry, received $12.7 million.

Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) issued a statement on the GAO report:

“We must stop providing taxpayer dollars to abortion providers through Title X. We must put an end to Americans unwillingly providing financial support to the abortion industry. The time has come to deny any and all federal funding to Planned Parenthood by passing the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act,” referring to HR 614, which he introduced and is cosponsored by 92 other members of the House.

3. Writing in the Washington Examiner, Timothy Carney explains how charities sometime engage in lobbying on legislation not directly related to the central purpose of the organization.

Using the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as an example, Carney found the group used some of its money for public education and legislative advocacy in behalf of Obamacare.

Some of Komen’s paid lobbyists included Heather Podesta, a leading Democratic fundraiser.

Many big-time charities know how to do this. However, grassroots organizations that try to intermix charitable work, lobbying, and political activities could find themselves in significant legal difficulties.

To provide help to small citizen groups, Mark Fitzgibbons, President of Corporate and Legal Affairs at American Target Advertising, Inc., has recorded a DVD training session, available through the Viguerie Marketing Institute, on how to comply with the complex web of registration and reporting requirements, including what messages and words can actually get an organization in legal hot water.