Joseph Pitts

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, as I said before, we have several hundred bills, a menu of options to repeal, to replace, some comprehensive, some targeted. And I would remind the Democrats that ObamaCare cut $716 billion out of Medicare to fund ObamaCare. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased now to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy), our great majority leader.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the state of religious freedom and pluralism in India. In a very troubling pattern, India's historic pluralism is being replaced with intolerance, division, and majoritarianism. Reports from NGOs, one of which I will submit for the Record today, have documented a rise in attacks by Hindu nationalists against minority Christian populations in the first 100 days of the new government. Continuing reports show a pattern of targeting religious minorities, including India's notably moderate Muslim population. The burning of churches, brutal beatings, intimidation, and arrests of pastors have created a tenuous climate in Indian society. As the government embarks on economic reforms, it should not ignore the plight of minorities. Newly elected Prime Minister Modi must speak out and act on this violence. Furthermore, the Obama administration must forcibly speak out on behalf of oppressed populations. Human rights should be elevated in the strategic dialogue between our two countries. Our government must display moral clarity in our approach to gross violations of international religious freedom--no matter where they occur.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, the following list of incidents of religious persecution targeting the Christian community in India was compiled by the Evangelical Fellowship of India, a charter member of the World Evangelical Alliance and an accredited NGO with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The Evangelical Fellowship of India expresses concern at the alarming rate at which the Christian community is being targeted in India. The EFI's Religious Liberty Commission recorded more than 38 incidents targeting the Christian community in November-December 2014, with 31 incidents taking place in December alone. The incidents range from physical violence, false accusations, disruption of church services/ Christmas functions, to the hate campaigns and the pressure to convert to Hinduism that the Christian community is facing almost on a daily basis in India. List of Incidents State wise Uttar Pradesh--13 incidents Madhya Pradesh--8 incidents Chhattisgarh--4 incidents Delhi--4 incidents Punjab--2 incidents Bihar--2 incidents Tamil Nadu--1 incident Karnataka--1 incident Assam--1 incident Andhra Pradesh--1 incident Gujarat--1 incident Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (4th November 2014) Members of Bajrang Dal attacked 7 Christians including one Pastor from Mumbai, beat them up and got them arrested in Bhopal. The Christians were stripped and beaten mercilessly by fists and belts, causing internal injuries. Indore, Madhya Pradesh (7th November 2014) A Christian was falsely accused, detained and later arrested on allegations of forced conversions in Indore. According to reports from local sources, Hindu extremists threw cross necklaces in the house where the Christians had gathered and then stormed inside alleging forced conversions. A police complaint alleging that the Christian was forcing them to wear cross necklaces and hence converting them was filed at the local police complaint. The Christian was detained for over four hours at the Chandan Nagar Police Station post the incident and was released later. Udumalpet, Tamil Nadu (16th November 2014) Over 100 Hindu extremists attacked a Christian community in Udumalpet, Tamil Nadu. The community was attacked when they were participating in a prayer service. The attackers not only beat the Christians present but also burnt more than 20 vehicles belonging to the Christians. They desecrated Bibles, burnt the altar of the Church and destroyed Church property including musical instruments. The Christians were threatened even when they were being treated for injuries at the local hospital. Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh (16th November 2014) Members of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal stormed the Sunday worship service of the Masihi Aradhna Church in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh and beat the Church members up. The attackers were looking for the Pastor who was hidden by the Church members as there was a threat to his life. Kolar, Karnataka (23rd November 2014) Hindu extremists attacked the Calvary Apostolic Church in Bangarapet, Karnataka. They beat up Church members resulting in eight church members seriously injured. Two members among the eight injured suffered broken legs. Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh (26th November 2014) Media reports carried the news that under pressure from the VHF, the Catholic missionaries in Bastar area of Chhattisgarh state have agreed that the principals in their schools. normally referred to as ``Father'', would now be addressed as ``Pracharya'', or ``Up-pracharya''. or ``Sir''. The reports also mentioned that the missionaries have also agreed to put up photographs of ``Maa Saraswati'' and ``great personalities who have worked for national interest'' in their educational institutions. Local Catholic sources have denied such an agreement and complained of pressure from the VHP. Assam (26th November 2014) Pastor of the Believers Church in Moran Amguri, Sivasagar District of Assam received threats from local Hindu leaders to vacate the building that the congregation uses for Church services in one months time or face the consequences. Delhi (1st December 2014) A Catholic church in East Delhi's Dilshad Garden area, St Sebastian's Church, was completely gutted in a fire, in the early hours of 1st December 2014. Later, Christians took to the streets to protest the burning, and demanded a judicial enquiry as foul play is suspected. The Governor of Delhi has instituted a Special Investigation Team to probe into the matter. Delhi (2nd December 2014) Four unidentified men broke into the Catholic convent in Rohini area of Delhi. The CCTV captured the images when the break in happened. Delhi (6th December 2014) Unidentified people pelted Our Lady of Fatema Church with stones during mass at about 6 p.m in the Jasola area of New Delhi damaging windows and causing the Syro-Malabar Catholic congregation to rush out in alarm. Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh (9th December 2014) The RSS and the Dharma Jagran Manch announced that they planned to convert 4000 Christian and 1000 Muslim families in Aligarh on Christmas Day. BJP MP Yogi Adityanath supported the event visibly among others. The organizers said that Christmas was chosen as the day for conversion because the event is a ``shakti pariksha'' (test of strength) for both religions. Ludhiana, Punjab (11th December 2014) Members of the Shiv Sena attacked the Kalvari Church, Ludhiana prompting the police to deploy heavy security to protect the Church building. Shiv Sena members later surrounded the local police station alleging forced conversion. Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh (12th December 2014) Newspapers reported that the Dharam Jagran Samiti (DJS), an RSS offshoot, distributed pamphlets in Aligarh seeking donations for converting Christians and Muslims to Hinduism. The pamphlet said that it costs Rs 2 lakh to convert a Christian and Rs 5 lakh to convert a Muslim. The DJS had set December 25 as the date for a major conversion ceremony and put down an annual target of 2 lakh conversions--1 lakh Muslims and 1 lakh Christians in the area. Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh (12th December 2014) Members of the Bajrang Dal stormed a Christian meeting in Ratlam. Madhya Pradesh along with the media and the police forcing the organizers to cancel the meeting. The organizers and the speakers of the meeting were taken to the police station but were later released. CSP P S Ranawat told the media that no evidence about the alleged conversions, forced or otherwise. was found in the initial probe by the police. Bastar, Chhattisgarh (13th December 2014) NDTV and other national media organizations reported that the BJP Lok Sabha MP from Bastar, Dinesh Kashyap presided over a ceremony that saw 33 Christian families being converted to Hinduism. The local Christians had complained of pressure from VHP and BJP earlier asking them to convert to Hinduism. Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (13th December 2014) Christians were attacked and beaten by Hindu extremists for singing Christmas carols in Hyderabad, seriously injuring a pastor and four others. The violence occurred while Pastor Bhim Nayak of Banjara Baptist Church and fifteen church members sang Christmas carols and visited Christian families in the city's Singareny Colony. Local reports say that some thirty ``Hindu extremists'' attacked the Christians and a vehicle they had hired for the evening festivities. Pipraich, Uttar Pradesh (16th December 2014) Christians including 4 women were arrested from a Christmas function at Navipur village, Pipraich, Uttar Pradesh and were kept in custody for more than 20 hours before being released. They were accused by Hindu groups of indulging in forced conversion but the police let them go after a detailed investigation. Behraich, Uttar Pradesh (16th December 2014) Pastor Mahendra Kumar from Behraich, Uttar Pradesh was arrested and kept in custody for two days before being released without any charges. He was arrested following complaints of local Hindu groups. The Hindu groups are also targeting a Christian social service organization working in the area, according to local reports. Bhagalpur, Bihar (18th December 2014) Three Christians who had recently converted to Christianity were forced to re-convert to Hinduism. According to media reports the three converts returned to the Hindu fold after they were threatened with a social boycott. Uttar Pradesh (18th December 2014) Dharm Jagran Manch leader Rajeshwar Singh told media that his organization plans to root out Christianity and Islam from India by December 31, 2021, adding that Christians and Muslims essentially have no right to live in the country. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (19th December 2014) Hindu extremists disrupted a Christian prayer meeting and beat up Christians in Varanasi on December 19, 2014. Pastor Shobhnath and local Christians were participating in prayer and fasting in a village in Chiraigaon Block, Varanasi, when 10-12 people came in a Bolero (SUV), entered the house forcefully, and started beating the Christians. They took away Bible and other literature and also destroyed household furniture. According to local sources the attackers are office bearers of RSS and BJP. The matter was reported to the local police. Valsad, Gujarat (19th December 2014) According to media reports. Vishwa Hindu Parishad ``officially brought back to the Hindu fold'' some 100 Christian tribals who had ``embraced Hinduism earlier'' in south Gujarat. VHP activists later claimed as many as 900 had been ``reconverted''. The 'zhar wapsi' ceremony was conducted this afternoon at Arnai, a village in Kaprada taluka of Valsad district. A news website called scroll.in later investigated the issue and did not find a single convert in the area, a far cry from what was claimed by the VHP. Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh (19th December 2014) A week after insisting that there was no evidence of conversion, forced or otherwise, the Ratlam Police booked Pastor Jose Mathews, the organiser of a Christian convention under the state's anti-conversion law. The convention organised by the Indian Pentecostal Church of God and the United Christian Council (UCC) on December 12, at Ratlam was attended by Christians and was stormed by Bajrang Dal people alleging conversions. Chhattisgarh (20th December 2014) Media reports said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is getting ready to clear the controversial anti-conversion Bill passed by the Chhattisgarh Assembly in 2006. The Dharma Swatantraya Adhiniyam Act, 2006, brought by BJP's Raman Singh government in the state says the return of a person to his ancestor's religion or own original religion shall not be construed as ``conversion.'' The Bill also says that a district magistrate will have to be intimated 30 days prior to the conversion and he will be the final authority on the subject. Punjab (21st December 2014) In media reports, the RSS and its affiliates claimed that they are engaged in a massive reconversion or ``ghar wapsi'' programme to get Christians back--not just to Hinduism, but also to Sikhism, in Punjab. The organizations claim to have helped some 8,000 people `return home' in the last three years, some 3,500 of them over the last one year. Delhim (21st December 2014) RSS announced that it will organize a reconversion rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Christmas day with at least 25000 people in attendance. Khargone, Madhya Pradesh (24th December 2014) A Christian couple, Wilson and Rashmita, was taken into custody under the state's anti-conversion law from a village near district headquarters Khargone, Madhya Pradesh. The couple were a part of a Christmas program held on 24th December at Nayanagar, about 28 kilometres from Khargone, where they live. Members of a Hindu group who alleged conversions disrupted the Christmas program and called the police who then arrested the couple. According to local sources, the Hindu groups produced false witnesses against the couple alleging that they had offered 5000 Rupees every month to a woman if she converts to Christianity. Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh (24th December 2014) Akash Sisodia from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh was attacked by members of the Bajrang Dal while he was leading a Christmas prayer service in Ujjain Madhya Pradesh. According to reports, the Bajrang Dal people who were accompanied by the police and media people produced false witnesses and got Sisodia arrested. He was kept in custody for three days before being released, as charges against him could not be substantiated. Uttar Pradesh (25th December 2014) Seven people including two pastors were arrested on Christmas day from Urai. Raibareily and Kushinagar areas of Uttar Pradesh. The Christians were arrested on after BJP members complained of forcible conversions. However according to media reports no such conversions could be verified. Barloi, Mau, Uttar Pradesh (25th December 2014) Police stopped a Christmas function in Barloi village of Uttar Pradesh following objections by Hindu groups. Local BJP leader Dr. Alka Roy was also accompanying the police as they forced the Christians to stop the Christmas function. Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh (25th December 2014) Police in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, stopped a Christmas celebration following complaints by Hindu groups alleging conversions. However according to media reports, no evidence of any conversion was found after investigation. The Christmas celebrations were organized at the home of one Shankar Lal Verma in Kharagjeet Nagar, Mainpuri. After Hindu groups complained the police reached the spot, stopped the celebrations, dispersed the gathered people and arrested Shankar Lal. He was later released as the charges against him were not proved true. Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh (26th December 2014) Christians were attacked during a Christmas celebration in village Coloni near Khandwa. The mob cornered the Christians just about they were going to have lunch and threw stones at them. Later the police came and arrested 13 Christians including three very young children, 8 months, 4 years and 7 years and took them to Borgaon police station where they were charged under IP 295 A. The Christians including the children were in police custody till 31st December 2014 till their bail was secured. Earlier Hindu groups in the district court also roughed up a lawyer who appeared for the Christians. The groups told the lawyer to get off the case and not represent the Christians anymore. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (27th December 2014) Police arrested Pastor Ashok Prajapati from Varanasi following allegations of forcible conversions. According to reports, Hindu groups as well as the police threatened him and asked him to stop holding prayer meetings in the area. He was released in the evening the same day. Amethi, Uttar Pradesh (27th December 2014) BJP leaders and Bajrang Dal people threatened Pastor Ramchand from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh of dire consequences if he carries on with worship services in the area. The pastor left the village keeping in mind his own security and has approached the local police for protection. Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh (27th December 2014) More than 25 members of the Youth wing of the BJP and other Hindu groups stormed into the Sam Higginbottom university alleging conversions. The attackers tore banners with Bible verses written on them, shouted anti-Christian slogans, burnt the effigy of the vice chancellor of the University, Dr. R B Lall, and entered into a fight with the security personnel. Two of them were caught and handed over to the police. Gaya, Bihar (28th December 2014) Christians in Gaya, Bihar sought police protection after several outfits of the Hindu right-wing threatened them of dire consequences if they do not convert to Hinduism. In a petition containing two pages of signatures, given to the police, the Christians accused the VHP, the RSS and the Bajrang Dal of indulging in intimidation and force. Indore, Madhya Pradesh 128th December 2014) Hindu extremist groups forcibly took two Catholic missionaries to police station after disrupting an interfaith meeting organized at the Geeta Bhavan. Indore. Madhya Pradesh. The activists of Bajrang Dal and Dharma Jagran Manch accused Father Prasad and Brother Sleeva of trying to convert Hindus to Christianity. They demanded that the police arrest the missionaries, after registering a First Information Report against them. The missionaries were however, let off as charges against them proved to be frivolous. The next day the Hindu groups proceeded to purify Geeta Bhavan by pouring milk and cow urine on the place where the missionaries had been participating in the interfaith meeting. Deoria, Uttar Pradesh (28th December 2014) Members of Hindu Yuva Vahini and the police disrupted a Christian worship service at Salempur, Deoria district, Uttar Pradesh. Jaswant Masih and his wife Suman, who have been conducting prayer services for many years in their own home, were arrested and taken to the police station following complaints by the Hindu groups that the couple were involved in forcible conversions. Later, Police, denied any incident of conversion. ``A Christian family has been organising prayers for past many years and people go there. It is just a matter of faith and nothing else,'' said inspector Ram Yadav.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the pro-life leader in the House of Representatives for many years.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, the Hyde language does not apply to ObamaCare. There is not one sentence in this 2,700-page bill. Read the bill. It applies to Medicaid and to annually appropriated programs.

Mr. PITTS. I yield 10 seconds to the gentleman.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus), another champion of life.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee, Diane Black, another pro-life spokesperson.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner).

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Mimi Walters).

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The gentlelady said what the American people care about. Well, a Marist poll released this month found that 68 percent of the respondents oppose taxpayer funding for abortion. A February 2014 CNN poll showed that 56 percent of the respondents opposed public funding of abortion. A January 2010 Quinnipiac University poll showed 67 percent of the respondents opposed Federal funding of abortions. A November 2009 Washington Post poll showed 61 percent of the respondents opposed government subsidies for health insurance that includes abortion. A September 2009 International Communications Research poll showed that 67 percent of respondents opposed measures that would require people to pay for abortion coverage with their Federal taxes. We know what the American people care about. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Again, on the so-called compromise, I offered the Hyde language in the committee, and we won in a bipartisan vote. Chairman Waxman recessed, changed the votes, stripped it out, and brought it to the floor without Hyde. I was involved in the negotiation. I wrote the Stupak-Pitts amendment. I know what the compromise is with the so-called executive order. It is full of loopholes. The Hyde amendment does not apply to the Affordable Care Act. I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly), another pro-life champion.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 42, I call up the bill (H.R. 7) to prohibit taxpayer funded abortions, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 7.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor today in strong support of H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act, legislation that passed the House almost 1 year ago with bipartisan support. This bill affirms what a majority of Americans believe, that no taxpayer dollars should be spent on abortions and abortion coverage. H.R. 7 establishes a permanent governmentwide prohibition on taxpayer subsidies for abortion. This bill is all the more necessary because of the President's health care law and its attack on this longstanding protection of taxpayer dollars. The bill before us would simply codify the Hyde amendment, a longstanding provision that has ensured Federal dollars do not subsidize abortion over the past decade. H.R. 7 also requires that information regarding abortion coverage as well as the amount of the abortion surcharge be displayed where consumers can easily identify which plans cover abortion. Consumers should have the right to know whether the plan they are selecting on an exchange includes abortion coverage. While the Affordable Care Act included some notification provisions, many of our constituents are simply unable to find out whether a plan is paying for abortions. In fact, this inability to find out whether exchange plans provide abortion coverage seems to extend to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as former Secretary Sebelius failed to uphold her commitment after testifying twice before the Energy and Commerce Committee, promising to provide the Congress and the American people a full list of exchange plans providing abortion coverage. Today, over a year has passed and this commitment is still left unfulfilled. The self-appointed ``most transparent administration'' in history is simply unwilling or unable to comply with this request. In fact, it took the Government Accountability Office months to find out that taxpayer dollars went to pay for over 1,000 health insurance plans that included abortion. Even though the Affordable Care Act required, through law, that separate payments be made to pay for the abortion surcharge, the GAO also found that none of the insurers they interviewed actually collected a separate payment. In fact, the report reveals that the administration informed insurance issuers that they didn't need two separate payments. This bill is about protecting taxpayer dollars and protecting life. It also ensures we have at least some transparency under the President's health care law. I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Jenkins).

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski).

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), the distinguished chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio, Steve Chabot, another pro-life champion and the principal sponsor of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California, Mr. Kevin McCarthy, our distinguished majority leader in this Congress.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, might I inquire of the time remaining?

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa), another eloquent pro-life force.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First of all, abortion is not health care. It is a brutal procedure that ends the lives of unborn children through suction, dismemberment, decapitation, or chemical poison. It is the most violent form of death known to mankind. As Frederica Mathewes-Green, former chair of the Feminists for Life, said: Abortion breaks a mother's heart. She said: There are always two victims in an abortion. One is the baby, and one is the mother; one is dead, one is wounded. Madam Speaker, this human rights abuse should not be paid for or encouraged by government taxpayer money. The women in the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and the women in Operation Outcry point out that abortion not only takes the lives of the unborn child, it wounds all the mothers. We should keep this in mind. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.