Dear Friends:
In case you missed it, last week was a busy week in the news that featured several stories related to our core issues at Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico.
Religious Freedom – U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Case of Christian Baker
Last Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Colorado cake artist, Jack Phillips, who declined to create a custom wedding cake to celebrate a same-sex wedding. Although the couple easily obtained their rainbow-themed cake from another nearby cake artist, they filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, which ordered Jack to design wedding cakes that celebrate same-sex marriages if he continued to create wedding cakes. Jack is asking the Court to rule that the government oversteps its authority when it compels artists to use their expressive talents to celebrate events or express ideas that conflict with their religious beliefs. A decision is expected in the summer.
Family – Former Legislator Accused of Soliciting Sex in Exchange for Vote
Last Friday, longtime New Mexico lobbyist, Vanessa Alarid, was featured in a New York Times article detailing accounts of sexual harassment experienced by female lobbyists. In the article, Ms. Alarid says that former State Representative Tomas Garcia offered his vote on a bill she was supporting in exchange for sex. Ms. Alarid spurned the advance and Representative Garcia later voted against the measure in spite of supporting the bill in committee.
Life – U.S. Department of Justice to Investigate Fetal Tissue Procurement Violations
Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced their intent to investigate several criminal referrals regarding potential fetal tissue procurement violations at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) abortion clinic. In June 2016, the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives released a journal of notes from a lab technician employed by UNM detailing the harvesting of aborted babies and body parts from SWO, including baby brains to be used at a youth summer camp.
Friends – now, more than ever, we must “stand firm and take action” (Daniel 11:32) to preserve our freedoms and promote God’s design for family and life! At Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico, we are honored to be on the frontlines of this effort and we believe God has raised us up for such a time as this. However, we cannot do this alone.
We need you! We need your prayers. We need your engagement. And we need your financial support!
If you are on board, would you please consider doing three things for us today?
- Please pray for our year-end fundraising efforts.
- Please help us engage by forwarding this email/link to 5 friends.
- Please make a donation today and your gift will be DOUBLED!
Together, let’s be people who “do something” and move the ball forward for a New Mexico where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished!
Standing for the Family of Believers,
Vince Torres
President and Executive Director
While families send their children back to school each fall, for Family Policy Alliance our “back to school” time comes in January— when Congress and state legislatures go back into session. All summer and fall, we’ve been preparing and training for the new legislative session. Now, we can protect your family and advance your values.
As we anticipate January 2018, we wanted to share with you both the policy threats that you need to be aware of for your family, as well as some key opportunities where your partnership will protect and strengthen families.
Parental Rights
This year, the world watched with shock and heartbreak as U.K. baby Charlie Gard’s parents were denied their right to fight for his life. Parents everywhere felt their grief—What if Charlie were my son?
We’ve seen decisions about medical care for children taken out of parents’ hands here in the U.S., too, with doctors placing “do not resuscitate” orders on children’s medical files or performing abortions on underage girls without even notifying parents. Even in the world of mental health care, LGBT activist groups are pushing to prevent families from accessing basic talk therapy for children struggling with sexual integrity—bringing their sexual orientation or gender identity into alignment with their faith and values.
We believe parents are best equipped to love and protect their children. That’s why we’re working to protect your rights as a parent and to prevent a Charlie Gard tragedy here in the U.S.
Education
No two children are alike—not even twins—and God has a calling and a purpose for each one. That’s why we’re working to make sure policies guard the right of parents to guide their children toward their calling—and to prevent any political agendas or red tape from getting in children’s way as they launch into their calling. In 2018, we will work with our state allies to enhance school choice opportunities for families, protect Christian colleges from being forced to violate their faith so that students can choose a higher education that aligns with their values, and prevent state licensing bodies from restricting students who go on to get professional licenses (such as medical, legal or technical) from living out their faith in their professional calling.
Life
January 2018 marks the 45th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. Despite that sober reminder of millions of preborn babies lost, we have much to be thankful for. We are now living among the most pro-life generation since Roe, and we have a new Supreme Court Justice, Neil Gorsuch, who values the sanctity of life. We continue to work with our state-based allies to strategically chip away at Roe until we live in a nation where every life is cherished.
Our fight for life doesn’t stop at Roe, though. We also defeated dangerous assisted suicide legislation in all 27 states where it was introduced this year. In 2018, we will continue our work opposing assisted suicide and instead work to pass legislation affirming that every life is worth fighting for—regardless of health condition, disability or socioeconomic status.
Your faithful partnership with Family Policy Foundation—especially at year-end—is key to educating pro-family Americans about these (and many more) issues, and equipping them with the tools they need to make their voices heard at just the right time.
TAKE ACTION
Support our work in 2018 with your year-end contribution today.
The Trump Administration proposed that life begins at conception. The opposition quickly declared that’s not a scientific statement, but a matter of belief.
In his Stoplight® commentary, Stuart Shepard asks a single question that brings it all into clarity. It’s a question you should ask yourself.
Thank you for sharing Stoplight with your friends.
Ask the President to nominate a Secretary of Health and Human Services who agrees that life begins at conception. It’s quick and easy to send a message through our Action Center
Congress is currently considering the future of assisted suicide in the District of Columbia.
The U.S. House has a say in what goes on in the District, so no matter what state you live in, your voice can have an impact.
Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee have voted to repeal the law. Now it’s critical that all members of the U.S. House hear from people who support the repeal when the bill moves to the House floor.
Jean Swenson has a unique perspective on such laws.
In 1980, her car was hit by a semi-truck. Her head went through the windshield, breaking her neck, and she was paralyzed from the shoulders down. This powerful video shares her thoughts on assisted suicide.
The House members who voted in committee to protect life understand that there’s no dignity in assisted suicide. As Jean explained: “I’m really grateful that people didn’t take my cries that my life was over seriously and they provided what I really needed – which was support, encouragement, prayers. … The road hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been good. And it’s definitely been worth fighting for.”
TAKE ACTION: Please take a few moments to send a message through our Action Center to your member of Congress. Ask them to support the repeal of D.C.’s assisted-suicide law.By calling on Congress to repeal DC’s harmful law, you help send the message that all lives, including Jean’s, are worth fighting for.
Gov. Sam Brownback has signed 18 pro-life bills covering a broad range of issues that all go toward protecting pre-born babies.
Paul Weber, president of Family Policy Alliance, asks him how to stand strong in the face of adversarial courts.
Learn more about the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas.
Many states have been taking advantage of a Republican majority to push through important pro-life measures. That includes Nebraska, who recently passed a first-in-the-nation bill that protects medically challenging pregnancies.
Karen Bowling, executive director of Nebraska Family Alliance, one of Family Policy Alliance’s 40 state-based groups, tells us about the recent wins in the Cornhusker state.
Elizabeth and her family know what it’s like to live with cancer.
The bag full of prescription drugs, the good days and bad days, the priceless value of just being there when her son and daughter hit a new milestone. All of that gives her a unique perspective on the issue of assisted suicide.
It’s a hot topic in state capitols around the country. But her pro-life perspective is often lost in the political posturing.
Before you decide what you think about this important issue, please listen to what she has to say.
Learn more about our Worth Fighting For project.
#WorthFightingFor
Learn exactly how God loves you. And discover the value of every life.
Jean Swenson was in a tragic car accident in 1980 that left her paralyzed.
She shares how she found hope in a most unexpected way. And she explains why it’s important to focus on “eliminating the problem, not the patient.”
Learn more about our Worth Fighting For project.
#WorthFightingFor
Tom Perez, the head of the DNC, recently told the Huffington Post that “every Democrat…should support a woman’s right to make her own choices about her body and her health.”
Paul Weber, president and CEO of Family Policy Alliance wonders what that means for Democrats who believe in the sanctity of human life?
This weekend President Trump will mark 100 days in the White House. What has he accomplished and what remains of his campaign promises?
Autumn Leva, director of policy and communications for Family Policy Alliance, talks about what’s been done and what’s left to do on life, family and religious freedom.
TAKE ACTION
Urge your lawmakers to defund Planned Parenthood.