Commentary

The national and local media is in an uproar over the fact that Sen. Jim Risch objected to putting Cecil Andrus’ name on one of the most iconic natural wonders in Idaho. They can’t believe that anyone could possibly object to honoring the most notable Idaho Democrat of the last generation.

Well we do. And we applaud Sen. Risch’s actions.

We remember Cecil Andrus not for his brilliant and sometimes ruthless political style. We remember him most for his veto of HB 625 – legislation that would have outlawed most abortions in the State of Idaho.  And we remember that it was through that battle in 1990, Andrus led the transformation of the Idaho Democrat Party from one in which a majority of officeholders were publicly pro-Life to an organization committed wholesale to the Abortion Industry’s agenda.

The thoroughness of Andrus’ re-education camp can be witnessed by the simple fact that it has been well over fifteen years since we have gained a single Democrat vote in the Legislature on any abortion legislation. Not one.  Not a single Democrat legislator supported Parental Consent.  Or Informed Consent.  Or our most recent effort – compiling data on the complications women suffer after choosing an abortion.  It is a rather appalling record for an organization which claims to stand for women.

Oh – and let’s not forget that Governor Andrus also engineered the repeal of Idaho’s “Trigger Law” – which would have restored protections for preborn children in the event of a reversal of Roe v. Wade.

It is a travesty that Cecil Andrus’ name should be emblazoned on Idaho’s White Cloud Mountains.

Some 75 members of Congress, including Idaho’s Senator Jim Risch, issued a letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf today. They are asking for detailed information about the FDA’s recent decision to accede to Planned Parenthood’s demand that the rules governing RU-486 usage be substantially loosened.

Just weeks after being confirmed to the FDA post, Califf announced that Planned Parenthood could use the deadly drug much later in pregnancy. And he also approved a new protocol which allows pregnant girls to complete the chemical abortion on their own without medical supervision.

Risch and others want to know the scientific background and studies which led the FDA to overhaul the restrictions governing RU-486. They are also asking for copies of any correspondence and email traffic between the White House, Planned Parenthood and the FDA.

They also want to know what kind of oversight the FDA has established over the facilities manufacturing the drug.

A key excerpt from the letter:

“We are deeply disappointed to learn that you have loosened FDA standards governing use of the abortion drug mifepristone, also referred to as Mifeprex or RU-486. This powerful abortion drug has been associated with serious adverse events including hemorrhaging, severe infections and even deaths of mothers who have taken it.”