State Rep. Martina White (R-170th dist.) hand delivered a letter to the office of state Attorney General Josh Shapiro seeking an investigation into the recent actions of Democratic Rep. Brian Sims regarding a potential violation of state statutes.
Sims took two videos, including one on Holy Thursday, showing him harassing and intimidating peaceful pro-life protesters outside Planned Parenthood, 1144 Locust St. He also called for the “doxing” of three girls.
Two years ago, White and Sims clashed on Fox 29 over sanctuary cities. Afterward, Sims wrote a fundraising letter that read, “Finally, I will continue to fight against Republicans like Martina White, who like Trump, wants to deport all of our hard-working immigrant brothers and sisters and whitewash America.”
PolitiFact Pennsylvania ruled that Sims told a “Pants On Fire” lie about White in the letter.
Archbishop Charles Chaput condemned Sims for his aggressive harassment in the viral videos.
“His actions were unbecoming of an elected official. There is much bitter irony that he claims to be a champion for the rights of all women yet he trampled on the rights of others and disgracefully shamed them in public. It was particularly disdainful that he offered a bounty for the identity and home addresses of three young ladies in order to encourage protests at their homes,” Chaput said.
Chaput said elected officials represent all of their constituents and should engage in civil discourse.
“Rep. Sims spoke often of shame and there was plenty of that to be found in his actions, which demonstrated a complete disregard for civility and basic human decency. I’m calling on all people of good will to channel their indignation into right action and prayerful witness,” he said.
Live Action organized a prayerful rally last Friday outside the Planned Parenthood clinic.
“Let us meet the hateful actions of Rep. Sims with the love of Christ and let us fervently pray for respect for life from conception to natural death,” Chaput said before the rally.
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The state House Health Committee last week approved York County Republican Rep. Kate Klunk’s legislation that would include prenatal Down syndrome diagnoses as a legal reason why babies can’t be aborted in Pennsylvania. The bill now goes to the full House for a vote.
The life expectancy for someone with Down syndrome has gone from 10 years of age in 1960 to 60 years of age today.
The measure passed 15-8. All Republicans voted for it. Two Democrats did not vote. Eight Democrats, including Rep. Jason Dawkins, voted against the bill.
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The state House of Representatives last week passed, by a 111-85 vote, a bill that would expand the Educational Improvement Tax Credit with $100 million in additional tax credits.
Voting in favor of the measure were Reps. Martina White, Tom Murt and Mike Driscoll. Driscoll was one of just four Democrats who voted for the measure. Reps. Joe Hohenstein, Ed Neilson, Kevin Boyle, Jason Dawkins, Jared Solomon and Isabella Fitzgerald voted against it.
The bill would also increase the household income limit by $10,000, allowing more middle-class families to benefit from the scholarships. Once a student qualifies, he or she would remain eligible for the program through high school graduation, regardless of changes to family income. House Bill 800 lowers the amount that can be retained for administrative costs from 20 percent. to 10 percent.
“School choice is not an alternative to a great public school system; it’s a necessary complement,” said House Speaker Mike Turzai, sponsor of the bill.
House Bill 800 now moves to the Senate. ••
