Originally Published by National Eagle Forum

DECEMBER 21, 2023 
Has Congress been Naughty or Nice?  Looking back on this session, it’s easy to see the disappointing things that belong on Santa’s Naughty List. But several things deserve positive recognition. In the true spirit of giving, here are some of the “gifts” that Congress gave us this year:

• 221 Republicans gave the GOP a majority in the House. While this was only an eight-member lead over Democrats, it was enough to make a difference. House Republicans had to be strategic and unified in their efforts this year. Even though there were growing pains, the American people were given a transparent view of the chess game that is our lawmaking process.

• 20 Republicans reined in the powers of the Speaker of the House by demanding reforms before voting for Rep. Kevin McCarthy. Conservative members secured the ability to be placed on key committees and implemented transparency measures through simplified bills and a 72-hour period to consider them before votes. In addition, they extracted commitments that each of the twelve appropriations bills would be passed individually instead of by a massive omnibus package and that the Speaker would not use the House Leadership Fund to sway primary elections.

• 55 pages of a House Rules package that ensured regular order in the House of Representatives. In addition to the 20 Republicans’ priorities mentioned above, the bill included the elimination of proxy voting, a higher threshold to approve tax increases (three-fifths), a prohibition on spending increases, and the creation of the Select Committee of the Weaponization of the Federal Government chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH).

• 12 appropriations bills marked up and voted on. In an amazing feat, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees passed all bills to the floor. Seven of those have passed the full House and three have passed the Senate.

• 11 pro-family bills made it to the House and Senate floors. Eagle Forum scored in favor of bills this year to protect the sanctity of life and the safety of women and girls, to hold the Biden administration accountable for overreaching federal policies, to secure our nation’s borders, and to affirm the rights of parents. You can find those votes in our scoreboard and in Eagle Forum’s End of Year Report which will be released in January.

• One Senator was bold enough to take an unwavering stance for life and the law. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) placed holds on all military promotions due to the Department of Defense’s decision to break federal law by allowing military personnel and their family members to be reimbursed for travel to obtain out-of-state abortions. For eleven months, Sen. Tuberville successfully fought the Biden Administration’s harmful and arguably illegal policy. Eagle Forum dubbed him a “Hero of the Republic” for standing up for babies, moms, and American taxpayers.

• One year of the Capitol being open to all. The first thing (now-former) Republican Speaker McCartney did was reopen the Capitol and House offices to visitors. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) had made it very difficult for the public to access House buildings and the Capitol using the COVID pandemic and the J6 event as an excuse. The Republican majority ensured the People’s House would be open to visitors without extra restrictions.

Not only can we thank Congress for the good they have done, but we are grateful for the advocacy and accountability you provide to your elected representatives. Your vote, make your voice heard through our legislative alerts, and give your time and resources to our organization as well as Eagle Forum PAC!  Many of you attended our 51st Eagle Council and equipped others through the education you received. Our sincerest thanks to all who are dedicated to preserving pro-family values for generations to come. Merry Christmas!

Message from Gayle Ruzicka:

This weekend Unplanned stunned the movie industry, it took in $6 million over the weekend, doubling expectations from the 1,059 theaters it appeared in. It will appear in about 1,700 for the coming weekend. 

I have seen Unplanned twice. Once with the Governor and Glenn Beck and both times with Utah legislators.  We must support this movie.  Please take your friends and family and go see Unplanned.  Don't take your teenagers until you have first seen it, then you decide if it is for them. 

We must defund Planned Parenthood. After you see this show you will want to work with us to do that.  Our tax dollars are going to fund Planned Parenthood. I call it blood money. Why should we be forced to fund something that violates our conscience and for many of us is against our religion. Please see Unplanned and then help us fight the battle.

Click here to get your tickets:
https://www.showtimes.com/movies/unplanned-138415/movie-times/utah/

Watch the movie trailer below:

Unplanned is the inspiring true story of one woman’s journey of transformation.

All Abby Johnson ever wanted to do was help women. As one of the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic directors in the nation, she was involved in upwards of 22,000 abortions and counseled countless women about their reproductive choices. Her passion surrounding a woman’s right to choose even led her to become a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, fighting to enact legislation for the cause she so deeply believed in.

Until the day she saw something that changed everything, a baby fighting for its life. This led Abby Johnson to join her former enemies at 40 Days For Life and become one of the most ardent pro-life speakers in America.
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Abby was a woman who was deeply involved in Planned Parenthood until God showed her the truth about this evil organization. She left Planned Parenthood and now speaks out on behalf of life. ​