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A Surprising Unanimous Pro-Life Ruling from America's Most Liberal Appeals Court

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Jenna Ellis Rives, a pro-life and constitutional law attorney, appeared on Friday’s CBN Newswatch program to discuss the federal appeals court ruling.

The most liberal federal appeals court in the country has unanimously delivered a surprising ruling in favor of a Trump administration pro-life policy.

The Protect Life Rule stops clinics from receiving federal funding if they share office space with abortion providers. It also prevents taxpayer-funded clinics from making abortion referrals.

The move is expected to reduce Planned Parenthood's federal subsidies by $60 million.

Several lower courts had ruled the policy can't take effect while it's being disputed in court. 

But a three-judge panel on the liberal Ninth Circuit Federal Appeals Court overturned those rulings, saying the Trump administration rules will be implemented while multiple lawsuits against the policy go forward.
    
"We are pleased that the Ninth Circuit has cleared the way for this important executive branch action to take effect while our appeals are pending," Justice Department spokeswoman Kelly Laco said. "The Department of Justice's position is supported by long-standing Supreme Court precedent and we are confident we will ultimately prevail on appeal."

Leaders of the nation's largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, are obviously upset, calling the policy "unethical, illegal, and harmful to public health." The president of the group says, "Planned Parenthood will not let the government censor our doctors and nurses from informing patients where and how they can access health care." 

Although the Ninth Circuit's decision could be a temporary victory, pro-life groups say it's still a win.

The Alliance Defending Freedom calls it "another step toward ensuring greater government program integrity and the protection of every human life, no matter how vulnerable."

Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Denise Harle said, "Americans' hard-earned tax dollars should never be used to fund abortion, shield child abusers, or force medical professionals to violate their convictions by participating in the end of human life. Today, the 9th Circuit unanimously upheld the Trump administration's rule as 'reasonable' and accurately applied the Supreme Court's precedent by deciding that this rule may immediately go into effect."

"This commonsense ruling simply allows HHS to ensure greater compliance with current federal and state laws, safeguard vulnerable and abused women and children, and help protect freedom of conscience for health care workers. The Protect Life Rule will prevent organizations like the nation's largest abortion business, Planned Parenthood, from funding their abortion activities through the Title X program. Planned Parenthood has covered up the sexual abuse of young girls and has been investigated for waste, abuse, and potential fraud. Because of these failures, it doesn't deserve taxpayer dollars. Today's ruling is another step toward ensuring greater government program integrity and the protection of every human life, no matter how vulnerable," Harle said.

TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD ON ABORTION GO HERE TO PROTECT THE UNBORN.


 

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Gill

Benjamin Gill oversees all web content as the Multimedia Manager for CBNNews.com. He has been on staff with CBN News as an internet and broadcast producer since 2000. You can follow him on Twitter @BenGillCBN. Here are some of his commentaries and articles: Pursuing Truth in a World of Fake News: Reflections of a Christian Journalist After 20 Years with CBN News The Breaking Point: Pandemic Pain, Persistent Prayer, and God's Bigger Picture Plagues, the End Times, and Trusting in God's Protection: 'You Will Hear Us and Rescue Us' 12 Powerful Bible Verses to Build Your Faith and Fight Fear