Bush Threatens Veto To Enforce Anti-Reproductive Rights Agenda

In The "Values Action Team" and Bush's Veto Threat, my research colleague Chris Rodda writes on a an almost totally overlooked vet-threat letter George W. Bush sent to Reid and Pelosi on May 2nd.

Congressman Joe Pitts ( R-PA), head of the "Values Action Team", recently bragged that Bush's letter was an indication of influence, within the Bush Administration, of the "Values Action Team".

"An action taken earlier this month by George Bush -- which is being claimed by the VAT and its coalition of pro-life groups as a major victory and demonstration of their influence -- has to be one of the most under-reported stories in recent news about the religious right.

On May 3, after being guaranteed that there would be enough Republican votes in the House to sustain a veto of any appropriations bill that removed any of the pro-life riders that have been regularly attached to these bills over the past decade, Bush sent the following "veto-threat" letter to both Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi:

'Dear Mr. Leader / Madam Speaker:

I am concerned that this year the Congress may consider legislation that could substantially change Federal policies and laws on abortion, and allow taxpayer dollars to be used for the destruction of human life. I am writing to make sure that there is no misunderstanding of my views on these important issues....' "