Planned Parenthood Looking for a Lobbyist in Arkansas

As the Arkansas Legislature gets underway, Planned Parenthood reportedly is looking for a lobbyist in the Natural State.

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s largest abortionist. The organization has two facilities in Arkansas — one in Little Rock and one in Rogers — but state law generally prohibits them from performing abortions except to save the life of the mother.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains is the regional Planned Parenthood affiliate for Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. The organization recently posted a job listing for an “Arkansas Contract Lobbyist,” saying,

The Arkansas Contract Lobbyist will be responsible for direct and grassroots lobbying on behalf of Planned Parenthood Great Plains (PPGP) and Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes (PPGPV). This position will be responsible for helping develop and implement plans and goals to advance PPGP/PPGPV’s legislative priorities, under the direction of the Director of Legislative Affairs. In addition, this position will be responsible for helping PPGP/PPGPV staff engage with key stakeholders, including existing and new coalition partners, constituents, supporters, and policymakers. This position will work closely and cross- departmentally with PPGP’s Public Affairs and Communications staff. A collaborative style, strong work ethic, and enthusiasm are essential.

Individuals and lobbying firms are encouraged to apply. This position is expected to require 5-10 hours per week during legislative session, with potential additional work on an as-needed basis. 

Historically, Planned Parenthood has been active on legislation in Arkansas.

Planned Parenthood has consistently opposed good, pro-life laws at the capitol. Last year, the group criticized state lawmakers for providing $2 million to pro-life charities that help women with unplanned pregnancies. With that in mind it isn’t surprising that Planned Parenthood is looking for a lobbyist in Little Rock.

The good news is that Arkansas is a deeply pro-life state, and its elected leaders generally do not support Planned Parenthood’s pro-abortion agenda. With that in mind, we believe pro-lifers will continue to stand for the right to life at the state capitol — and all across Arkansas.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

Federal Government Blocks Imports from Dozens of Chinese Companies Over Concerns of Forced Labor

The U.S. government intends to block imports from 37 Chinese based on concerns of forced labor.

The sanctions are part of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act that took effect in 2022. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said some of the companies linked to forced labor practices in China supply critical minerals and textiles.

From “reeducation camps” to forced abortion to organ harvesting, China’s human rights track record has been abysmal. Christians have spoken out for years against the atrocities China’s communist government has committed against the Uyghur people and other groups.

Congress passed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in response to these atrocities. It’s good to see the federal government continuing to enforce it and hold bad actors in China accountable.

You can read the entire list of sanctioned companies here.

Bill Filed Clarifying Public School Students Can Receive Religious Instruction Off-Campus

New legislation in Little Rock would make it clear that public school students may be excused from school for religious instruction off-campus during the week.

Legally in America, public schools may set aside “released time” during the school week for students to voluntarily attend religious classes off-campus.

Released time makes it possible for students to be excused from school so they can attend weekly Bible studies or other religious classes during normal school hours.

Historically, state laws and court rulings have let public schools establish released time policies. In 2007 the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette wrote about released time programs in Arkansas and elsewhere around the country, noting, “Even the Arkansas American Civil Liberties Union agrees it’s allowable.”

H.B. 1139 by Rep. Brit McKenzie (R — Rogers) and Sen. Joshua Bryant (R — Rogers) is a good bill that would strengthen Arkansas’ law concerning released time. The bill writes released time into state law, and it clarifies that public schools must excuse students for released time for one to five hours a week, if the student’s parents request it.

H.B. 1139 helps respect and protect the religious freedom of public school students. You can read the bill here.