By Kathleen Gilbert and Steve Jalsevac
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 3, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Kansas' U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, who has long identified with the pro-life movement, has shocked pro-life leaders by supporting the nomination of extreme pro-abortion Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Brownback issued a joint statement with fellow senator from Kansas, Pat Roberts, congratulating the Governor.
"It's an honor for the State of Kansas to have an elected official appointed to the president's cabinet," stated the senators. "We are hopeful Governor Sebelius will be a voice for Kansas and rural America at the Department. We look forward to working with her on issues important to the state including a National Cancer Institute Designation at the University of Kansas Cancer Center."
The pro-life community across America has almost unanimously spoken out against the nomination of Sebelius, whom Planned Parenthood once called a "champion" of their cause. Sebelius has fought consistently against legal protection for the unborn, so much so that her bishop, Catholic Archbishop Joseph Naumann, publicly admonished the governor to refrain from Holy Communion.
Pro-life activists widely consider Sebelius a particularly inflammatory candidate because of her association with Kansas' infamous late-term abortionist George Tiller. Sebelius has frequently pursued abortion policy in accord with ProKanDo, the political action committee headed by Tiller. Tiller himself has reportedly also contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Sebelius campaigns.
American Life League President Judie Brown told LifeSiteNews.com (LSN) that she was greatly disappointed in Sen. Brownback, whose presidential nomination campaign last year she had avidly supported.
"I think we've just lost pro-life leadership in the U.S. Senate, and it's a tragedy," said Brown.
"I'll never use 'pro-life' to describe him again. People have just lost their moral compass - which means Obama's winning."
Popular pro-life blogger Jill Stanek lamented the damage sustained to pro-life efforts by the senator's welcome.
"Their [the KS Senators'] support will give squishy Republicans cover to vote for her appointment and make it difficult for pro-life Republicans to oppose it," wrote Stanek. She pointed to news sources and liberal blogs that agreed Brownback's support cleared the way for the Senate to welcome Sebelius, and gave the pick a "bi-partisan" stamp.
Continue reading Judie Brown on Brownback...
Further reading:
- Jill Stanek on Brownback and Sebelius
- MSNBC host Chris Matthews calls pro-life opposition to Sebelius "verbal terrorism" (pro-life blogs)
The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!