Democrats to try to overturn Bush abortion order

From Dana Bash
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate Democrats will try to employ a rarely used law to turn back an executive order President Bush issued just weeks after taking office that denies federal funds to international organizations engaging in abortion-related activities.

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The Democrats, led by Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada and Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, will try to overturn the executive order by using the Congressional Review Act, the same mechanism Republicans used earlier this month to turn back Clinton administration regulations on workplace ergonomics.

Unlike the quick success Republicans had in overturning workplace injury regulations, Democrats, who do not run either body of Congress or the White House, acknowledge overturning Bush's executive order will be an uphill battle.

Bush set off alarms in the abortion rights community when he signed the executive order on February 15 denying federal funds to overseas organizations performing abortions or offering abortion counseling or referrals.

The so-called "gag rule" generated recurring fights between Republicans in Congress and President Clinton during his two terms -- one Clinton won in budget negotiations at the end of his presidency.

The Congressional Review Act allows any senator to bring up legislation to overturn a regulation or an order within 60 days of its effective date, as long as the senator gets 30 signatures supporting the move. The legislation is limited in debate and is protected from filibuster.

House Republican aides say, however, that no such rules are applied to the legislation in the House, where Rep. Nita Lowey, D-New York, plans to introduce a companion bill.

House GOP aides say that since they are not forced to allow a vote to overturn the abortion-related executive order to be debated, it is unlikely to come to the House floor.

Even if it did get to the House floor, it would require the president's signature to become law, and it is unlikely Bush would sign a bill overturning his own executive order.

The Senate sponsors say they have not decided when they will bring up the legislation, but rules give them until mid-June to do so.

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On Roe v. Wade's 28th anniversary, the fight goes on
January 22, 2001

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