Congress Investigates Obama/Sebelius Anti-Pro-Life Scandal

By Wendy Wright | December 1, 2011

Turning up the heat on a brewing scandal. Congress approved funding to help trafficking victims. Obama/Sebelius appointees changed the requirements and denied a grant to a qualified recipient with a proven record, USCCB, because they are pro-life (i.e. they don’t offer the ‘full-range’ of reproductive services). Washington Post broke the story. Congress held a hearing today. C-FAM’s Lisa Correnti blogged at the hearing:

C-FAM is now attending the House Oversight committee hearing on the politicization of HHS grants after it was reported political appointees within HHS overruled career professionals on awarding the USCCB a grant for a Human Trafficking program. Witnesses scheduled to testify include HHS Asst. Sec. of for Children and Families George Sheldon and Eskinder Negash, Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, also with the HHS…..and we are underway.

Chairman Issa has just entered documents that have come available by a whistleblower that failed to be delivered previously by the request of the Oversight committee. These are authentic HHS documents.

Rep. Cummmings, minority ranking member of the Oversight comte motioned to have a subsequent hearing to explore the need for sex-trafficking victims to have access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare.

In testimony from Mr. Sheldon from the HHS he ran down a list of partnerships with Catholic Church affiliated groups for other social service programs. He stated that preference was given in this case to groups that could provide a full range of services.

Chairman Issa responded that the USCCB was ranked second in the review process based on the criteria. He asked why the USCCB was not accepted with a high rating of 84, substantially higher then the 74 score another group received and was granted funding.

Issa continued that according to the HHS scoring system two of the groups that were awarded grants were unqualified.

Mr. Sheldon responded that all groups had areas where there was not sufficient detail on meeting the specified criteria. In a second review he claimed that the unwillingness of the Bishops to provide reproductive services was an issue.

Mr. Cummings followed that the Bishops clearly specified that they would not provide referrals for sterilizations or abortions but that they could provide an alternative. Mr. Sheldon said they did one follow up with the bishops asking if they had any alternative proposal to provide these services but the Bishops failed to provide an alternative and they reiterated that they would not make these referrals.

A heated Rep. Smith testified that his Human Trafficking law provided the means for the Human Trafficking awards to help these victims. He said there is now proof that the Obama administration discriminates against the Catholic Church and any other faith based groups solely because they respect the inviolability of an unborn child.

Rep. Tierney now testifying in defense of HHS said he would take offense to the statement made earlier that “Catholics need not apply” being that he was brought up as a Catholic (Mr. Tierney supports abortion rights). He read from an editorial in support of a statement made that said faith-based groups must abide by all criteria if they want government funds.

Rep. Lankford referenced a HHS document just obtained last night that indicated the USCCB application was recommended for a $2.5 million grant.

Another pro-abortion rights Catholic member of Congress Mr. Connolly made a case that Catholic affiliated groups have received more funding in the last 3 years then in the Bush admin and that there is no Catholic bias

Rep. Trey Gowdy asked HHS Asst. Sec of Family and Children if the USCCB received a 100 score would they receive a grant. Mr. Sheldon could not make this determination. Congressman Gowdy asked isnt it true that providing for abortion is dispositive?

Rep. Trey Gowdy asked HHS Asst. Sec of Family and Children if the USCCB received a 100 score would they receive a grant. Mr. Sheldon could not make this determination. Congressman Gowdy asked isnt it true that providing for abortion is dispositive?

Chairman Issa drew attention to the inflated number of sex traffic victims in Mr. Sheldons testimony and asked that he correct and only note the numbers on record officially with the HHS and attorney general.

Congressman Kelly asked if the conscience clause was ever discussed in drafting the new requirement that a full range of reproductive services be offered? Mr. Sheldon replied that he has only been acting sec for 6 months. Rep. Kelly said it appeared the discriminatory language was inserted to make sure faith based groups could not participate.

Congressman Smith in questioning Mr. Sheldon asked how far down would you allow the other NGO’s to score and still not award a grant to the USCCB.

The oversight comte hearing is winding down – Chairman Issa making the point that HHS had the responsibility to work with the USCCB around the criteria they could not fulfill.

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