St. Mary Council quells abortion discussion

A request last week by a St. Mary Parish councilman to send a resolution to the U.S. Senate opposing the federal funding of abortions in President Barack Obama’s proposed health care plan was quashed by a colleague. But the matter isn’t over.

St. Mary Parish Councilman Glen Hidalgo says he plans to once again bring the request to send a resolution to the U.S. Senate opposing the federal funding of abortions before his colleagues at a future St. Mary Parish Council meeting.

“If the president’s health-care bill passes the way it is written now, millions of pro-life U.S. citizens will be forced to unwillingly pay for abortions through our federal taxes. Health-care reform should save lives, not end lives,” Hidalgo said.

“Last month we passed a resolution to save a bridge. This month I would like us to pass a resolution that can save human lives. I feel that no one should be required or forced to pay for, or participate in abortion, in any way,” he said.

Hidalgo made the request last Wednesday to expand the agenda to discuss the matter at the council’s first regular meeting of the month.

However, Councilman Butch Middleton opposed the discussion, so the motion failed.

“All it takes is one councilman at any of our meetings to oppose expanding the agenda and the matter is quashed,” Hidalgo said. “However, any item can be placed on an agenda in advance for a future meeting, and that’s what I plan to do.”

Middleton explained his reasoning after the meeting. “I’m against abortion. I’m very much pro-life. But this resolution is a red herring, a conservative ploy, simply to just oppose the president’s plans. And I’m sick of conservative tactics like this.”

Hidalgo said he would like the message to the Senate to read, “During floor debate on the health care reform bill, please support an amendment to incorporate longstanding policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”

Although the U.S. House of Representatives passed the health-care bill, Hidalgo had prepared a similar message for them: “Please support the Stupak Amendment that addresses essential pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights in the health care reform bill. Help ensure that the rule for the bill allows a vote on this amendment. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”