Ads Will Run in Six New Congressional Districts for a Total of 13
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2007
Contact:
James Salt
(305) 975-1065
jsalt@catholics-united.org
Washington, DC - As Congress debates a plan to offer health insurance to millions of uninsured children, Catholics United is running an expanded ad campaign on Christian radio targeting 13 pro-life members of Congress who have voted against the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The ads contend that members of Congress who vote against health care for children are compromising their pro-life voting record.
“As members of Congress debate this legislation, Catholics United wants them to know that people of faith are paying attention to their actions back home,” said Chris Korzen, executive director of Catholics United. “Protecting the weak and vulnerable lies at the heart of the Christian faith, and we are willing to go all out on behalf of this legislation.”
The ads, which feature a mother urging constituents to tell their congressional representative to support SCHIP, will run as soon as a vote is announced. Catholics United ran similar ads immediately prior to the veto override vote and received considerable attention from the targeted members of Congress. House Republican Policy Chair, Thad McCotter characterized Catholics United as “false prophets” in an opinion piece in the National Review. Democrat Gene Taylor, the only member of Congress to change their vote, was also a target of the ad.
“Apparently, some members of Congress think their responsibility to protect life ends at birth,” said Catholics United organizing director James Salt. “To build a true culture of life, our nation must be willing to stand women and children. Passing this legislation is one clear way we can do this.”
The following pro-life members of Congress have voted against SCHIP, which provides high-quality health coverage to more than six million children whose families would otherwise be unable to afford insurance. Radio ads will air on local radio stations in their congressional districts.
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, Florida - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-waite.mp3
Rep. Joseph Knollenberg, Michigan - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-knollenberg.mp3
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, Michigan - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-mccotter.mp3
Rep. Tim Walberg, Michigan - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-walberg.mp3
Rep. Steve Chabot, Ohio - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-chabot.mp3
Rep. Michele Bachmann, Minnesota - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-bachmann.mp3
Rep. Sam Graves, Missouri - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-graves.mp3
Rep. Thelma Drake, Virginia - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-drake.mp3
Rep. John Peterson, Pennsylvania - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-peterson.mp3
Rep. Jim Marshall, Georgia * - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-marshall.mp3
Rep. Virgil Goode, Virginia * - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-goode.mp3
Rep. Todd Tiahrt, Kansas * - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-tiahrt.mp3
Rep. Kenny Hulshof, Missouri * - www.catholics-united.org/files/cu-hulshof.mp3
* District not targeted during first round of ads
The script for the radio ad reads:
I'm the mother of three children, and I'm pro-life. I believe that protecting the lives our children must be our nation's number one moral priority. That's why I'm concerned that (Congressman X) says he's pro-life, but for the second time in a month, he’s voted against health care for kids. That's not pro-life. That's not pro-family. Tell X to vote for kids, not Bush's veto. Call him today at XXX-XXX-XXXX.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA, and the Catholic Health Association have all urged Congress and President Bush to support SCHIP.
Catholics United is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting the message of justice and the common good found at the heart of the Catholic Social Tradition. This is accomplished through online advocacy and educational activities. For more information, visit www.catholics-united.org.
