President Barack Obama stated on July 17, 2007, "The first thing I'd do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing that I'd do." With days away until his inauguration, it is important that we know what we have to fight in the days ahead.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN RIGHT TO LIFE'S "FOCA" PETITION

What Does FOCA Say?
FOCA states “[i]t is the policy of the United States that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to bear a child, to terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability, or to terminate a pregnancy after fetal viability when necessary to protect the life or health of the woman.

In essence, the right to an abortion would become a fundamental right.

Sec. 4 (b) Prohibition of Interference- A government may not: deny or interfere with a woman's right to choose to bear a child; to terminate a pregnancy prior to viability; or to terminate a pregnancy after viability where termination is necessary to protect the life or health of the woman; or discriminate against the exercise of rights set forth in the paragraph. ”

FOCA would invalidate any "statute, ordinance, regulation, administrative order, decision, policy, practice, or other action" of any federal, state, or local government or governmental official (or any person acting under government authority) that would "deny or interfere with a woman's right to choose" abortion, or that would "discriminate against the exercise of the right . . . in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information."

So if a law requiring a waiting period before an abortion interferes with a woman's access to abortion, this law should be invalidated under FOCA.

Click here to read the text of the Freedom of Choice Act (S. 1173)

CLICK HERE TO SIGN RIGHT TO LIFE'S "FOCA" PETITION

What Does This Mean?

According to Planned Parenthood:

"The legislation (FOCA) would invalidate existing and future laws that interfere with or discriminate against the exercise of the rights protected. It also would provide an individual aggrieved by a violation of the act a private right of civil action in order to obtain appropriate relief” - Planned Parenthood website.

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

“As a general matter, if FOCA were enacted, it would wipe out a very large number of existing state laws on abortion, substantially impede the ability of states to regulate abortion, and override nearly 40 years of jurisprudential experience on the subject of abortion.” - USCCB Memorandum on FOCA.

According to National Right to Life:

"In the interests of truth in advertising, the bill should be renamed the ‘Freedom for Partial-Birth Abortionists Act'." - NRLC Press Release on FOCA.

In total, FOCA would overturn more than 550 federal and state laws. Any law that could restrict a woman's access to abortion is at stake. Michael Moses, Associate General Counsel for the USCCB noted, "It is difficult to recall any other single piece of legislation that, in a single stroke, would have such a comparable destructive impact on the government's ability to regulate abortion.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN RIGHT TO LIFE'S "FOCA" PETITION

How Can You Act?
The Freedom of Choice Act cannot be signed into law until it passes through both chambers of Congress, The U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. Click here to sign the Freedom of Choice Act petition as we rally with other pro-life leaders to fight against FOCA and stand for life. This petition allows the people of Central California to be on record regarding their opposition to the Freedom of Choice Act. We also encourage you to tell a friend about the Freedom of Choice Act and the promise made by President-elect Barack Obama. You may also print a petition for friends and family members to sign.

Please support the life-saving work of Right to Life of Central California. Your donations are greatly needed and appreciated.