LifeNews.com - Third Pro-Life Legal Group Backs Indiana Planned Parenthood Law

by Steven Ertelt | Indianapolis, IN | LifeNews.com

A third pro-life legal group has issued an opinion defending the new law in Indiana that puts abortion limits in place and also revokes funding for the Planned Parenthood abortion business.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) informed LifeNews.com today that it will file an amicus brief, representing members of Congress and thousands of Americans, backing a new Indiana law that prohibits the distribution of federal funds it receives to organizations like Planned Parenthood that perform abortions.

“We applaud Indiana’s approach to taking action to stop the flow of federal taxpayer funds to the nation’s largest abortion provider,” said Jay Sekulow, the chief counsel for the pro-life legal group.

“With Planned Parenthood already receiving more than $350 million dollars a year in federal taxpayer funds, Indiana is sending a powerful message to Washington – it’s time to put a halt to sending federal funds to Planned Parenthood,” Sekulow said. “The new law already cleared one legal hurdle last month when a federal judge refused to issue a Temporary Restraining Order blocking the law.  As this issue winds its way through the federal court system, we’re preparing to file an amicus brief on Indiana’s behalf in support of this law and its constitutional authority to ensure that no federal funds are used for abortion.”

Planned Parenthood, with the assistance of the ACLU, a pro-abrotion legal organization, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the measure after Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signed it into law last month. The Obama Administration announced it is urging Indiana to scrap the new law, claiming it violates a federal statute. A hearing is taking place today in federal court as Planned Parenthood seeks a preliminary injunction to block the law.

“It’s no surprise that Planned Parenthood has mounted a legal challenge,” Sekulow added. “The nation’s largest abortion provider certainly doesn’t want to lose millions in federal taxpayer dollars – funds that enable Planned Parenthood to free-up other money to pay for abortions.  It’s also no surprise that the Obama Administration would defend a pro-abortion organization.”. . .

You can read the complete story here.