Congressional Recap: Planned Parenthood, Iran, Sanctuary Cities Carry Debate

This week, the nation’s capital was action-packed as lawmakers battled it out on a variety of issues.

Meanwhile, an Arkansas native killed in an attack at a Tennessee military recruiting center was honored for his sacrifice.

The following is a look at the week that was:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD INVESTIGATION NEEDED, BOOZMAN AND COTTON REQUEST
The allegations involving Planned Parenthood officials discussing the harvesting of organs from unborn babies need definite scrutiny, Arkansas’ two U.S. Senators said this week.

Sens. John Boozman, R-Ark. and Tom Cotton, R-Ark, were among the 50 senators asking for an investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department.

“As a strong believer in the sanctity of life, I am committed to defending those who cannot defend themselves. The amorality of the footage is appalling and raises not only concerns regarding whether Planned Parenthood broke multiple laws, but also the moral, ethical and policy implications its actions may have,” Boozman said Wednesday. “Further, I simply do not believe that the federal government should be using taxpayer dollars to help fund facilities that provide abortions. The cavalier attitude with which these gruesome practices were discussed reaffirms my position and I am committed to getting the answers to these questions that Arkansans deserve.”

“Words are limiting to try to express the moral shock we feel when confronted by behavior so abhorrent as selling dead baby body parts for profit. But where words fall short I’m hopeful that we can be united in action: we must put an end to the federal funding of Planned Parenthood. Arkansans’ tax dollars should not be supporting an organization that condones the activity we’ve seen in the videos released this week. This should be one issue that transcends partisan politics or ideology. To truly honor the God-given rights to life and liberty enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by our Constitution, we should strive to guarantee those rights to the ones least able to defend themselves—the unborn,” Cotton said.

SEN. COTTON: DISCLOSURE NEEDED IN IRAN DEAL
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Wednesday that the disclosure of two “side deals” on the nuclear weapons deal between the United States and Iran will not be tolerated.

“In failing to secure the disclosure of these secret side deals, the Obama administration is asking Congress and the American people to trust, but not verify. What we cannot do is trust the terror-sponsoring, anti-American, outlaw regime that governs Iran and that has been deceiving the world on its nuclear weapons work for years,” Cotton said. “Congress’s evaluation of this deal must be based on hard facts and full information. That we are only now discovering that parts of this dangerous agreement are being kept secret begs the question of what other elements may also be secret and entirely free from public scrutiny.”

According to Cotton, the deals include an agreement on inspections for the Parchin military base and how the IAEA and Iran deal with questions on the dimensions for Iran’s nuclear program. Read more here.

U.S. HOUSE PASSES ‘SANCTUARY CITY’ FUNDING BAN
A bill that would take away federal grants for law enforcement in sanctuary cities was approved this week in the House.

H.R. 3009 was approved by a 241-179 margin, with all four members of the House from Arkansas – Reps. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, French Hill, R-Little Rock, Steve Womack, R-Rogers and Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs voting in the majority.

On Thursday, both Womack and Hill said state and federal officials must work to address the issue.

“As a former mayor, I understand firsthand the danger illegal immigration poses to local communities and firmly believe that cities should put the safety and security of its citizens before the interests of those here illegally,” Womack said. “Our immigration system undoubtedly needs reform, but there is absolutely no excuse for harboring and releasing criminal aliens and blatantly skirting federal law. This deliberate lawlessness must stop.”

“As recent events have once again demonstrated, sanctuary cities are dangerous to the well-being of law-abiding citizens, and I fully endorse any legislation that starts the process towards cracking down on sanctuary cities throughout our country,” Hill said. “Our citizens expect both the President and our local leaders to fully enforce our country’s immigration laws. But, there is also a lot more this Congress must do to better secure our border and fix our broken immigration system in a way that meets the expectations of the American people.”

Westerman said Friday that the issue is a matter of safety and justice.

“It is inconceivable that an American city would provide sanctuary to illegal immigrants rather than safety to lawful, American citizens. The death of Kate Steinle at the hands of an illegal immigrant who had been deported five times highlights why sanctuary cities are a danger to Americans. San Francisco and other municipalities providing sanctuary to illegal immigrants are on the wrong side of the law and my vote today was a vote for justice, a vote for protecting Americans, and a vote that says illegal immigrants will not find protection so long as they remain in this country unlawfully,” Westerman said.

BOOZMAN HONORS RUSSELLVILLE NATIVE KILLED IN CHATTANOOGA SHOOTING
A Marine who grew up in Arkansas was honored this week as a strong leader who loved his family.

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., spoke about Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, one of five people in the military who were shot and killed July 16 in Chattanooga, Tenn., during a speech on the Senate floor.

Boozman said Wyatt, a 1998 graduate of Russellville High School, joined the military following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington DC and Shanksville, Pa.

“While he no longer called Arkansas home, the state always had a fond place in Staff Sgt. David Wyatt’s heart,” Boozman said in the speech. “He often visited his family who still lives in the Natural State and taught his children how to call the Hogs. As a 1998 graduate of Russellville High School, Staff Sgt. Wyatt was active in athletics and played in the school band. He also earned the Eagle Scout, the highest rank of the Boy Scouts. His scoutmasters, classmates and teachers fondly recalled David as a young man who was a natural leader with a lot of enthusiasm and a unique sense of humor.”

Boozman said the work and sacrifice of Wyatt and the others killed in the attack should not be in vain.

“No one could predict the violence that targeted his life while working to protect and defend our nation with his band of brothers,” Boozman said. “On behalf of a grateful nation, I humbly offer my appreciation and gratitude for his selfless service and sacrifice.”

HOT SPRINGS PASTOR DELIVERS PRAYER IN SENATE
A Garland County pastor on Thursday led the United States Senate in prayer.

Reverend Ken Carney, lead pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene in Hot Springs, was invited by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. to give the opening prayer.

Carney also serves on the board of Nazarene Bible College and is a professor at Champion Bible College, Cotton’s office said.

The video of the prayer can be seen here.