"Anonymous" Republican Senator Obstructs Resolution to Condemn Clinic Violence

Originally posted on RHRealityCheck.org -- News, commentary and community for reproductive health and justice.

So much for agreeing on at least one basic premise in the debate about choice, reproductive rights, or even reproductive health.

Yesterday, a Republican Senator used his power to put a "hold" on a Senate Resolution originally introduced by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) condemning violence against women's health providers, thereby blocking any vote on the resolution. Senators have the power to do this anonymously and with no explanation. This way, Republicans can get away with sorrowful expressions to the media on violence, but don't have to be put to the test of actually voting to denounce the violence against either Dr. Tiller or clinic workers generally.

My use of the male pronoun here is deliberate: The odds are overwhelming it is a male Republican Senator, as Senator Snowe is a co-sponsor, and that leaves only three female Republicans, Murkowski, Hutchinson, and Collins.

The resolution, written and intended to be non-controversial, condemned the use of violence against providers of women's health care services. This condemnation of violence is apparently too much for some Republicans to bear.

"I realize that the issue of reproductive choice is divisive and that there are many heartfelt feelings on both sides of the aisle," said Senator Shaheen.

"However, I was hopeful that, regardless of our differences of opinion on this sensitive issue, the Senate could come together and pass a resolution that rejects the use of violence against women's health care providers. It is a sad day when the elected leaders of the greatest Democracy on earth can't agree to protect those exercising their constitutional rights."

Sad indeed. And i would add disgraceful. And telling. And honestly? I find it disgusting.

What does this resolution say that is so controversial it can not be brought to a vote?

The full text of Senate Resolution 187 (Condemning the use of violence against providers of health care services) reads as follows:

Whereas Dr. George Tiller of Wichita, Kansas was shot to death at church on Sunday, May 31;

Whereas there is a history of violence against providers of reproductive health care, as health care employees have suffered threats and hostility in order to provide crucial services to patients;

Whereas the threat or use of force or physical obstruction has been used to injure, intimidate, or interfere with individuals seeking to obtain or provide health care services; and

Whereas acts of violence are never an acceptable means of expression and always shall be condemned:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate--- (1) Expresses great sympathy for the family, friends and patients of Dr. George Tiller; (2) Recognizes that acts of violence should never be used to prevent women from receiving reproductive health care; and (3) Condemns the use of violence as a means of resolving differences of opinion.

Original co-sponsors of the resolution first introduced by Shaheen, Boxer, and Klobuchar included 43 additional Senators, including: Murray; Durbin; Dodd; Schumer; Lautenberg; Mikulski; Landrieu; Gillibrand; Harkin; Carper; Sanders; Kaufman; Wyden; Kerry; Lieberman; Tom Udall; Levin; Brown; Whitehouse; Burris; Mark Udall; Stabenow; Baucus; Cantwell; Bingaman; Inouye; Cardin; Specter; Johnson; Feingold; Leahy; Tester; Snowe; Begich; Akaka; Bennet; Feinstein; Warner; McCaskill; Reed; Kennedy, Lincoln; and Merkley.

Republicans objected to the resolution from the start; urged its sponsors to eliminate references to reproductive health.

"The resolution faced objection by some colleagues on the other side of the aisle, and the Senators were urged to eliminate references to women's reproductive health care in order to unanimously pass the resolution," stated a press release on the issue.

"Everyone has the right to work for changes in the law, but there is no place for violence in any of our debates," said Boxer. "To assault a health care worker, a patient or anyone else because of a disagreement about an issue, regardless of how contentious, brings all of humanity down into a dark pit of violence."

Klobuchar added:

"As a former prosecutor I have seen how acts of violence can tear apart communities. No matter how heated the debate or how great our differences, violence is never the answer. Supporting a bipartisan bill that denounces the use of violence is basic common sense and we need to pass this without further delay."

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution condemning violence in places of worship. Shaheen, Boxer and Klobuchar were asked adopt the House language in the Senate, but decided to move forward with their resolution, as they feel condemning violence against women's health care providers and agreeing not to use violence as a means of resolving differences are not objectionable viewpoints.

Well, apparently, they were wrong. Apparently,there is no common ground in the Senate on not using violence where women's health is concerned.

 

Comments

[walkamile]

SO what is the supposed legit reason for NOT opposing violence against people exercising rights granted to them by the law? This seems like a very dark path we are going down here... wait... don't we live in America?

[S1m0n]

A republican is opposing an anti-terrorism resolution?

[Dynamohum]

This is disheatening and really disgusting. So let me see "violence in places of worship" gets a resolution and passes, but "violence in reproductive health clinics" gets blocked totally!! This is beyond the pale. Whether you agree with abortion or not, no one should condone violence that ends in murder. Reproductive health clinics do so much more than abortions. Many things they provide actually have to do with bringing a "HEALTHY" new life into the world.

[goatini]

my money's on C O B U R N

[Badwater]

Once again, the leadership skills of Hapless Harry Reid are on display. As long as he remains their leader, the Democratic Majority will operate as if they are the Minority,

[wandering girl]

wait, a REPUBLICAN is responsible for this travesty, and you're blaming REID?

you've been drinking your name again.