It hasn't taken long for President Obama to show his pro-abortion agenda on several fronts. His newest health secretary nominee, Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, is an ardent pro-abortion advocate. Sebelius has caught attention for her support of George Tiller, the abortionist famous for performing late-term abortions.
Kathleen Sebelius, the newest nominee for secretary of health and human services, has drawn criticism for her extreme pro-abortion agenda. She has repeatedly vetoed legislation passed by the Kansas legislature that would have strengthened limits on abortion. For instance, in April 2008 she vetoed a bill intended to mandate more information for women seeking an abortion, protect women from being coerced into having abortions, and allow families to sue abortion providers for illegal abortions.
In 2007 Sebelius vetoed portions of a bill that would have required doctors to explain reasons for performing abortions on fetuses old enough to survive outside the womb. According to Kansas law, late-term abortions can only be performed in order to protect the mother from irreversible physical damage. Yet, doctors like George Tiller have allegedly performed a significant number of third-trimester abortions for less serious reasons than those required by law. Sebelius argued that the 2007 bill would have compromised women's privacy, when in fact doctors assign numbers to patients for reporting purposes. Sebelius has also vetoed other sensible legislation aimed at protecting women from an over-eager abortion industry.
Operation Rescue in Kansas has accused Sebelius of corruption:
"Sebelius is joined at the hip with the abortion industry," Troy Newman, the president of Operation Rescue, told LifeNews.com. "She owes them her political career and has been more than willing to pay them back with personal favors that have shielded them from legislation and criminal prosecution. Her corrupt abortion politics make her unfit to serve."
One of the most serious connections she has is to the infamous late-term abortionist George Tiller, whom she has supported. Tiller is known for his willingness to perform abortions on women whose unborn infants are capable of living outside the womb. Last week a judge ruled that his trial can go forward; he's charged with 19 counts of having a financial relationship with a second doctor who signed off on the abortions he performed. Two independent doctors are supposed to approve late-term abortions in Kansas. Sebelius' veto of the 2007 abortion reporting bill protected Tiller from having to justify his high number of late-term abortions. He also won a dinner at the governor's mansion in a silent auction at a pro-abortion group's fundraiser.
Her extreme views may not hold Sebelius back from confirmation. Pro-life senators might be impressed that abortion rates declined in Kansas during Sebelius' time as governor, and envision the pro-life Senator Sam Brownback as a possible governor of Kansas if Sebelius takes the cabinet position. Pro-Life groups intend to fight Sebelius' appointment as health secretary, however. While Obama would likely choose somebody equally as pro-abortion as Sebelius if she's not confirmed, there is also a chance he could get the message and appoint somebody who is more moderate and less connected with corruption.
