Debate begins on Unborn Victims of Violence Act

The Senate has begun debate on the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. A vote is expected later today. The AP has a story headlined "Senate Takes Up Fetus Protection Bill." Excerpt:

On the other side, NARAL Pro-Choice America delivered more than 130,000 petitions to senators urging defeat of the bill because the group said it would allow judges to rule that humans at any stage of development deserve protection, even when that protection trumps a woman's interest in ending a pregnancy.

"This would be the first time in federal law that an embryo or fetus is recognized as a separate and distinct person under the law, separate from the woman," said NARAL president Kate Michelman. "Much of this is preparing for the day the Supreme Court has a majority that will overrule Roe v. Wade."

On October 29, 2002, shortly before the mid-term elections, Tom Daschle sent out a mass fundraising e-mail on behalf of NARAL. You can access the e-mail by clicking HERE and scrolling halfway down the page. The e-mail is headlined "Last Chance to Keep Pro-Choice Leadership in the Senate." Excerpt:

I’ve seen the difference NARAL can make, and I believe you and countless others can help Senator Carnahan and other pro-choice candidates facing tough races. If you make an urgent donation to NARAL’s Save the Senate Campaign today, it will make an important difference for these candidates....

As the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate, I’ve stood up for a woman’s right to choose, and the pro-choice leadership of the Senate has made a difference by safeguarding women’s rights from the anti-choice agenda of the Bush administration. Please give to NARAL today, so NARAL can mobilize the resources to get out the pro-choice vote on Election Day.

To get a glimpse of how NARAL feels about the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, click HERE.

Also, Michael Meehan, one of Tom Daschle's top advisers, is NARAL's vice president for politics, campaigns and strategy, essentially overseeing all of the organization's political operations, according to a report last year in Roll Call.

Stay tuned to C-Span 2 for developments as the debate progresses.

CORRECTION: It looks like Michael Meehan has moved from NARAL to become John Kerry's spokesman.