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Catholics United executive director Chris Korzen issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Senate's confirmation of Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

“On behalf of the thousands who signed our 'Catholics for Sebelius' online petition, Catholics United congratulates Kathleen Sebelius and applauds the U.S. Senate for today's decisive action. We look forward to Secretary Sebelius' work in implementing President Obama's plans for universal health care, abortion reduction, and improved assistance for America's struggling families. Catholics of all political backgrounds have cause to welcome the values of mercy and compassion that Secretary Sebelius' faith will bring to this important position.

Today's action ends weeks of politically-motivated delay tactics that have left our country facing a looming public health crisis without a Health and Human Services secretary. We call on Secretary Sebelius' opponents – particularly those in the Catholic community – to accept the Senate's decision and join her in working toward common good-oriented public policy that will benefit human life at all stages.”

'Abortion reduction' is the emerging goal in the search for common ground in the abortion debate. As the debate moves forward, Catholics need to make sure that support for pregnant women is the focus of our work. For more information on how pro-life advocates can support pregnant women check out Senator Casey's Pregnant Women Support Act.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kansas' senior senator is bucking anti-abortion opposition to support fellow Kansan Kathleen Sebelius for health and human services secretary.

Republican Sam Brownback issued a statement Tuesday night saying he would support President Barack Obama's nominee despite "profound policy differences."

Brownback, a staunch social conservative who's running to replace Sebelius as Kansas governor in 2010, had been under pressure from anti-abortion groups who oppose Sebelius because of her support for abortion rights. With his support, Sebelius, a Democrat, probably has a clear path to Senate confirmation.

Originally posted by Faith in Public Life

Sebelius for HHS: The George Tiller False Attack in the MSM

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is President Obama's nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Under her leadership in Kansas, abortions dropped by more than 10%. While pro-choice, she is personally opposed to abortion and has worked to reduce the number of abortions in the very red state where she, a pro-choice Democrat, was elected twice as governor.

THE FALSE ATTACK:

While this record has brought Gov. Sebelius praise from many religious leaders, including Catholics and Evangelicals, she has drawn heat from right-wing groups. One of their main pillars of attack is based on her alleged "close" connection to Dr. George Tiller, a late-term abortion provider in Kansas who's now facing criminal charges. Family Research Council's Tony Perkins, for example, FRC claims that "she has had a close personal and financial association with the nation's most infamous abortion doctor, George Tiller, who specializes in late-term abortions." The Liberty Council claims, "Sebelius has close ties with late-term abortionist George Tiller...Sebelius honored Tiller and his entire abortion clinic staff at the Governor's mansion in April 2007. Tiller has contributed thousands of dollars to Sebelius and to her PAC." Operation Rescue President Troy Newman went so far as to put it this way: "With Obama's appointment of Gov. Sebelius to the Department of Health and Human Services, he might as well be appointing George Tiller..."

As HHS secretary, Gov. Sebelius will be responsible for implementing President Obama's promise to bring Americans together behind common ground, common sense solutions to abortions - something he explains in this clip from the Third Presidential Debate. The graph on the bottom of the screen represents the opinions of undecided voters. Note that then-Senator Obama receives some of the highest scores of the night as he talks about ways to find common ground.

Catholics United rebuffs far-right attack machine

Today Catholics United noted the bipartisan groundswell of support for Governor Sebelius and responded to groups such as the Concerned Women of America, LifeNews.com, the Liberty Council and Operation Rescue who are seeking to use religion to smear Governor Sebelius. Catholics United, a pro-life organization, believes these groups are seriously misrepresenting the facts on Governor Sebelius’ record of working across party lines to reduce abortion in Kansas. James Salt, Catholics United organizing director, issued the following statement:

Bipartisan group reiterates the Catholic faith’s support for universal health care for all Americans

Today, 26 Catholic leaders, scholars and theologians publicly expressed support for the nomination of Governor Sebelius as the next HHS secretary. The statement calls attention to Sebelius successful efforts at reducing abortion in Kansas as well as the Catholic faith’s long standing support for universal health care:

Senator Sam Brownback stated that Kansas is "honored" to have fellow Catholic, Kathleen Sebelius, nominated as the next HHS Secretary. Brownback seemingly acknowledges the need for universal health care for all Americans - hopefully even for immigrants- by stating, "We are committed to ensuring that every American has access to quality, affordable, and personalized health care."

In 2006, Governor Sebelius gave a speech to Kansans of Faithful Citizenship where she described her pro-life convictions. "If we work hard and match our rhetoric with our actions, we can create a culture that is more welcoming of mothers and treasuring of our children."