WASHINGTON /Christian News/ — The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is calling the passage of the healthcare package by the U.S. House of Representatives “extremely disappointing,” noting “President Obama’s Executive Order fails to provide permanent protections for the life of the unborn.”

The ACLJ is preparing legal challenges to the healthcare package.

“This healthcare package fails the American people and does not provide permanent protections for the life of the unborn,” said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ. “Those self-proclaimed pro-life Democrats put their trust in an Executive Order – subject to being rescinded by the president – a move that is not only short-sighted but does not provide the guarantees and pro-life protections secured by statutory language in a law approved by Congress. The fact remains the actual healthcare bill that’s been approved does fund abortion.”

“The question is: Which President Obama do you believe – a president who repeatedly and publicly opposed the pro-life language in the earlier House-passed bill – or, a president who now promises an Executive Order to secure the votes he needed to pass a very dangerous healthcare package?” said Sekulow.

The President’s Executive Order concerning restrictions on federal funds for abortion is being cited by many as the final maneuver that secured sufficient votes for the legislation’s passage. “The Executive Order is problematic on a number of fronts,” said Sekulow. “It is not a legislative fix and does not carry the force of Congressionally approved legislation. It does not supersede law. It can be rescinded. And, what should concern everyone: this Executive Order places HHS Secretary Sebelius at the helm of the funding process – a cabinet member who has a long and documented history of supporting abortion.”

“The American people won’t be fooled. They understand what happened – another Washington power play that ignores what most Americans want,” said Sekulow. “This flawed healthcare package may have passed – but it is far from being implemented. We’re preparing legal action to challenge this measure and intend to file a lawsuit in federal court soon. We will be challenging a law that is not only wrong for America, but a law with a forced mandate that penalizes Americans who choose not to participate. That is unconstitutional and we believe ultimately will be overturned by the courts.”

The ACLJ has heard from nearly 500,000 Americans over the past months who opposed the government-run, pro-abortion healthcare package.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C. The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org. The ACLJ’s online newsroom can be accessed at www.DeMossNews.com/aclj.