Boucher, Pickett & Scott Vote to Allow Partial-Birth Abortions But Clinton Override Passes House Easily

Virginia Congressmen Owen Pickett (D-2), Bobby Scott (D-3), and Rick Boucher (D-9) again voted against a ban on partial-birth abortions, as the U.S. House of Representatives voted to override President Clinton's veto of the Act by a 296-132 majority.

"It is appalling that Congressmen Boucher, Pickett and Scott voted to allow thousands of living babies to be pulled feet-first from the womb and stabbed through the head," said Louise D. Hartz, VSHL President. "Even many pro-abortion legislators have recoiled from defending this brutal method -- but Congressmen Boucher, Pickett and Scott once again did the bidding of the extreme special-interest groups that oppose all restrictions on abortion."

Representative Scott was one of those speaking against the ban on the floor of the House during debate.

The Senate is expected to vote on the override after Labor Day. Two years ago, the Senate vote to override a similar bill failed by nine votes. Last year, when the current bill was passed, there were 64 Senators in favor, only three votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed for override. However, since that vote, no Senators have announced an intention to change their vote.

"It's long past time for 36 senators to stop defending the indefensible, brutal practice of partial-birth abortion," commented NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson. "It is appalling that any senator would vote to allow thousands of living babies to be mostly delivered and then stabbed through the head."

Virginia Senator Charles Robb was one of the Senators voting against the ban. His vote is needed to enact a federal ban on this gruesome procedure.

Please contact Senator Robb, even if you have several times before, and ask him to support the override of President Clinton's veto of the partial-birth abortion ban. There is no reason for such an inhumane procedure to remain legal in our country. You can email him at senator_robb@robb.senate.gov or you can write him at:

Senator Charles Robb

Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Published in VSHL Lifesaver - August 1998