Week of February 15, 2021
This Week: Your Voice is Needed Now to Protect the Unborn!
HB 625-FN Needs Your Support Today!
Last week the House Judiciary Committee heard three pro-life bills, the most important being HB 625-FN, relative to the protection of unborn life. Currently, New Hampshire allows abortions during all 40 weeks of pregnancy. HB 625-FN, if passed, would protect the lives of unborn children after 24 weeks. The committee could meet to vote on HB 625-FNas early as Tuesday, February 16. We are fighting stiff opposition. Without your voice, HB 625-FN may not have enough support to pass.
New Hampshire is one of an extreme minority of states that does not protect the unborn through a term limit on abortion. A viable child can be legally aborted in our state up to the time of birth. A prohibition starting at a specific time such as 24 weeks (the generally accepted point of viability outside the womb) is clearer than a non-specific “viability” ban and gives greater protection to preborn children. Read more on our position in our recent blog post here.
WHAT CAN I DO?
The top priority this week is putting strong support behind HB 625-FN. The Judiciary Committee vote will happen this week with a likely full House vote on the week of February 22nd, so you need to start appealing directly to your representative. Find and contact your state representative(s) here and urge them to vote in favor of HB 625-FN.
In order for your request to have more impact, please email your representative or the committee about each bill separately with the bill number in the subject line. Remember to put your last name at the bottom of your email, as well as the town you reside in. Finally, remember to be charitable! Committee members are more likely to listen to reasoned arguments.
Other Bills That Could be Voted on by the Judiciary Committee This Week
HB 430, The Sidewalk Free Speech Act
This bill will repeal the current prohibition on gathering in a public area that is near an abortion facility. Cornerstone strongly supports this bill. Not only does it address what is essentially a throttle on free speech in the state, the constitutionality of our current “buffer zone” is in question (a similar Massachusetts law was invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court because of its violation of the First Amendment). Read more about the bill here.
To support HB 430, please contact the committee. You can find the information to do so on our new action center.
HB 434, Prohibiting the Use of Public Funds for Abortion
HB 434 will simply align state law with what has been repeatedly affirmed in NH state budgets, that abortion services in the state are not to be funded with our tax dollars. Cornerstone supports passage of HB 434 as a common-sense measure that will codify what the state has already stipulated in multiple budgets already passed by the legislature rather than repeatedly revisit the question. Read more about the bill here.
To support, HB 434, please contact the committee. You can find more information on our action center.
Other Committee Meetings this Week
Executive Session on HB 20-FN-A-L, Establishing the Richard “Dick” Hinch Education Program
WHEN: Wednesday, February 17, 9:30 AM, Education Committee
CORNERSTONE POSITION: Cornerstone SUPPORTS HB 20. For the most up-to-date information on this bill, see the Education Freedom Coalition website.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Please call or email the Education Committee asking them to vote in favor of HB 20!
Governor’s Budget Presentation This Week
WHEN: Wednesday, February 17, 2:30 PM, Finance Committee
The Governor will be giving his presentation of the recommended budget including increased funding for Planned Parenthood.
Members of the public may attend using the following links:
To Join the Webinar: https://www.zoom.us/j/92166004660
To Join by Telephone: Dial: 1-929-205-6099
Webinar ID: 921 6600 4660
