Roe v. Wade
On my second day in office, January 22, 2009, which was the 36th anniversary of the
Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion on demand, I issued a statement reaffirming my commitment to defend that ruling, which I said protected "reproductive freedom."
(pause for thunderous Notre Dame applause)
On my third day in office, I nullified the pro-life "Mexico City Policy." By this action, I made organizations that perform and promote abortion as a method of family planning eligible for U.S. foreign aid funds.
In March 2009, my Administration released $50 million to the United Nations Population Fund – an agency that had received no U.S. funds under the Bush Administration because of its involvement in China’s population-control program, which relies heavily upon coerced abortions.
(pause for Father Jenkins to regain his composure from rapturous joy)
In March 2009, I issued an executive order that opened the door to federal funding of research that requires the killing of human embryos, reversing President Bush’s 2001 order that blocked federal funding of embryo-killing research.
In March 2009, my administration announced that it would rescind (cancel) a conscience-protection regulation issued by the Bush Administration, which prevents the penalization of health-care providers who refuse to participate in providing abortions.
I have named persons with extreme pro-abortion records to senior positions on the White House staff, including Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, a former congressman with a 100% pro-abortion record; Domestic Policy Adviser Melody Barnes, previously a board member for the Planned Parenthood Action Fund; and Communications Director Ellen Moran, former executive director of the pro-abortion group EMILY’s List.
(pause for young female graduates and effeminated males to finish chanting "Yes we can!")
I have selected persons with extreme pro-abortion records for the top offices overseeing federal health programs, including Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, former governor of Kansas, and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, former New York City health commissioner.
I have nominated persons with extreme pro-abortion records to senior positions in the U.S. Department of Justice, including Deputy Attorney General David Ogden and Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel Dawn Johnsen, the former legal director of the National Abortion Rights Action League.
I have nominated persons with extreme pro-abortion records to senior positions in the U.S. Department of State, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer.
"The fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable. Each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction. But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to caricature. I'll say another prayer tonight." (Acknowledge standing ovation by secular Catholics and media)