Senate Showdown Averted
A bi-partisan group of Senators this week forged an agreement
that would allow movement on some of the President's nominees
in exchange for promises not to use the so-called "nuclear"
option. That option, if employed, would change Senate rules to
end the opportunity to filibuster judicial nominations, ensuring
an up or down vote on all nominees.
"What many Americans do not realize is that
this issue has ramifications far beyond the President's current
nominees," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "The
reason that so many liberal groups are fighting to prevent these
nominees from being confirmed is because ultimately the balance
of the Supreme Court is at stake. They know that judges with a
strict constructionist view of the Constitution would be unlikely
to legislate from the bench, especially on issues relating to
marriage and the family."
While the agreement seems to be holding for now,
Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) has made it clear that
filibuster rule changes are still possible. He and other Republicans
continue to push for a fair up or down vote for all judges nominated
by the President.
To read more on this issue, click
here.
Michigan House Passes Ultrasound
Bill
 The
Michigan House this week passed a bill that would require abortion
providers to offer clients the opportunity to view an ultrasound
image of their baby before performing an abortion. Rep. David
Robertson, along with other supporters of the bill, hope that
the legislation will reduce the number of abortions in Michigan.
Critics claim it is yet another barrier to a woman's "choice."
If implemented, the bill would require the abortion
provider to offer clients an ultrasound image.
The choice of whether to view the image or not
would remain with the client. The Senate is expected to pass the
legislation as well. It is unclear whether Governor Jennifer Granholm
will sign or veto it. To view HB4446, click
here.
Fact of the Week
 Before
1973 (when abortion became legal nationwide), about nine percent
(9%) of babies born to never-married mothers were placed for adoption,
compared to just one percent (1%) between 1989 and 1995.
Among white babies born to unwed mothers, the adoption
rate has declined even more dramatically. Before 1973, nearly
twenty percent (20%) were placed for adoption, while only 1.7
percent (1.7%) were placed between 1989 and 1995.
Source: These statistics, and
hundreds more related to the American family are found in "The
Family Portrait: A Compilation of Data, Research and Public Opinion
on the Family" by Bridget Maher of the Family Research Council.
For information on how to obtain this book, click
here. The statistics above are referenced as follows: Anjali
Chandra, et al., "Adoption, Adoption Seeking, and Relinquishment
for Adoption in the United States," Advance Data No. 306,
National Center for Health Statistics, May 11, 1999, p. 9.
Lawmakers and Experts Discuss
Effects of Pornography
 Though
many believe pornography is a harmless pastime, it's estimated
that more than 20 million Americans are addicted to it and that's
why author and psychiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Satinover says it's time
to call it what it is.
"Pornography is a delivery system, if you will, for a complicated
set of behaviors that lead to self-destructive, compulsive and
addictive patterns," he says. "That's what it ought
to be treated as."
Activist judges often rule unconstitutional the laws Congress
passes to stop pornography. A group of lawmakers in Washington,
concerned with the impact of pornography on divorce and the child
sex trade, are working to strengthen the nation's obscenity laws.
To read more on this issue, click
here.
Commentator Penny Nance has written an excellent article about
the impact of pornography on women and children. It was published
in the May edition of National Review Online because May is National
Pornography Awareness Month. Click
here to read it.
Judge Blocks Controversial
Sex-Ed Program
 A
judge in Maryland issued a ruling this week preventing a controversial
new sex-ed program from going into effect in a local school district.
A group of parents took their opposition to the sex-ed courses
to court last week, arguing that they depicted homosexuality as
a natural and morally correct lifestyle and did not offer any
contrary opinion.
"Examples such as this make it clear why passage
of MFF-initiated legislation requiring parental involvement in
developing school districts' sex ed curricula was so important,"
said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "Having parents'
voices at the table from the very start helps ensure responsibility
and accountability in the curriculum development process."
To read more about the Maryland judge's decision,
click
here.
To view MFF's publication "Sex Education: Rights and Responsibilities
in Michigan Law," click
here
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