* Press release…

In the wake of legislation signed by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner that would allow for the use of taxpayer money to cover an unlimited number of abortions anytime for any reason, members of the Illinois Republican Congressional Delegation voted to advance bipartisan legislation H.R. 36 – the Unborn Pain-Capable Child Protection Act – to restrict abortions 20 weeks or more after conception, the point at which unborn fetuses can feel pain.

Representatives Peter Roskam (IL-06), John Shimkus (IL-15), Randy Hultgren (IL-14), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Mike Bost (IL-12) released the following statement:

“Henry Hyde championed the rights of the unborn through the Hyde Amendment, which expressly prohibits federal funding for abortions. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2005 to 2014, the infant mortality rate in the United States dropped 15 percent. Much of this progress can be attributed to technological advancements in medicine that gives children born prematurely and with various medical issues a fighting chance. H.R. 36 protects children like Micah Pickering who was born at 22 weeks and is a thriving toddler today. Read his story here.

“In a reversal of long-standing Illinois policy, Governor Rauner has let down Illinois taxpayers and the unborn by signing H.B. 40. Today, the Illinois delegation stands together in our support of H.R. 36 to protect human life.”

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a party’s entire state congressional delegation criticize their own party’s governor like that before. Or, at least, excluding the time during Rod Blagojevich’s arrest/impeachment.

And, like with Blagojevich, the criticism actually may help these Republicans electorally by putting some distance between themselves and a very unpopular person. Not many Democrats suffered electoral consequences from their past relationships with Blagojevich mainly because they so thoroughly trashed him at the end.

* The other side of the H.R. 36 issue from Planned Parenthood…

Congress is preparing to vote on a bill that would impose a nationwide ban on abortion at 20 weeks. This dangerous, out-of-touch legislation is nothing more than yet another attempt to restrict women’s access to safe, legal abortion.

Nearly 99 percent of abortions occur before 21 weeks, but when they are needed later in pregnancy, it’s often in very complex circumstances. For example, severe fetal anomalies and serious risks to the woman’s health — the kind of situations where a woman and her doctor need every medical option available.

20-week bans are also highly unpopular throughout the country. 61% of all voters say abortion should be legal after 20 weeks. Plus, Democrats (78%), Republicans (62%), and Independents (71%) say this is the wrong issue for lawmakers to be spending time on.

*** UPDATE ***  Illinois ACLU…

It is a sad reflection that seven members of our Illinois Congressional delegation yesterday issued a statement that purposefully misrepresented the facts about Illinois House Bill 40, signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner last week. That new law simply extends coverage for health care, including abortion care, to all women in our state, even if they get their health insurance through the State. The law in no way changes abortion law in Illinois regarding when an abortion can be legally and safely performed. It is simply political distortion to say otherwise – and these lawmakers should retract that assertion.

It is fascinating that the Congressmen link their fake critique of House Bill 40 to federal legislation they support – H.R. 36. This abortion ban relies on fake “science” and fake claims. The assertion that the Congressmen supported the federal measure as a response to House Bill 40 is laughable and should fool no one. These seven members are long-time anti-abortion partisans, who have supported numerous restrictions on the ability of women in Illinois and across the country to make the most intimate decisions – about when and if to become a parent.

We can only stand in bewilderment that members of our congressional delegation champion H.R. 36, which counts among its prime sponsors a member of Congress who urged a woman with whom he had an affair to terminate her pregnancy. This is hypocrisy and political partisanship of the highest order.

House Bill 40 will help women in Illinois. These members of Congress should applaud, not condemn, such legislation.