Supporting Women’s Health WIll Reduce Abortion

It is an honor to address the Faithful Democrats, an organization that will certainly be a valuable part of the Democratic Party.  I am excited to see a Democratic organization openly embracing the importance of faith as an under-girding of our political principals.  For too long many within our party have shied away from publicly expressing our common faith, and connecting our values and our policy viewpoints with those same values that serve as a foundation for all people of faith.  I applaud your organization for creating a proactive atmosphere for Democrats who care about this country, are passionate about their beliefs, and are dedicated to ensuring their voices are heard.

Simply put, I am a Democrat because of my faith and my beliefs in the role of government.  I believe the government must do what it can to take care of the least amongst us.  I believe we have a duty to assist and help provide shelter for those without homes, I believe it is our duty to feed those who are hungry, and I believe it is our duty to heal those who are sick.  I believe our country's future is only as strong as our public education system, and I believe our country's aged and disabled are only as secure as our Social Security system.  I believe we must have a strong national defense, as well as strong values and civil liberties, so our country will remain both the envy and shining light for the rest of the world.  Finally, I believe we must set forth economic policies that encourage job creation while balancing our nation's budget.  

Ultimately, these beliefs are about supporting the value of life.  In keeping with the value of life, I am pleased to inform you that faithful Democrats have been provided a call to action.  As a United States Representative for the great state of Tennessee, it is my privilege to have worked closely with Democrats for Life of America in developing the Pregnant Women Support Act (PWSA).  Soon I will introduce this legislation in the House of Representatives and will focus my energies on ensuring the rest of my peers recognize the importance of this bill. 

The Pregnant Women Support Act is part of the 95-10 Initiative, an initiative which seeks to use viable, commonsense ideas to decrease the abortion rate in America by 95% over 10 years.  The Pregnant Women Support Act will reduce the need for abortion, help women bear healthy children, and support new parents.  Additionally, by focusing on providing support to pregnant women as a means to reduce abortions, the Pregnant Women Support Act represents legislation that can unify Democrats of all beliefs, as well as Democrats and Republicans. 

By examining the different reasons women choose abortion, rather than just politicizing the issue, the Democrats for Life of America and I have been able to come up with this comprehensive initiative that will empower women and encourage them to choose life.  The Pregnant Women Support Act has many provisions to reduce the need for abortion.  Among its highlights, the bill will help states cover unborn children under the State Children's Health Insurance Program, it will help pregnant women access health insurance by banning pregnancy from pre-existing condition lists, and it will authorize the Institute of Medicine to study the reasons why women choose abortions so we can know better how to help women choose to carry their pregnancies to term.  

Additionally, the PWSA provides grants to health centers for the purchase of ultrasound equipment in order to increase women's knowledge about their pregnancy, and the legislation provides grants to increase public awareness about resources available to assist women in carrying their pregnancies to term and to assist new parents.  The bill will provide additional support to pregnant and parenting college students, and seeks to help alleviate violence against pregnant women.  Finally, the bill also increases the adoption tax credit and makes the credit permanent, and it increases WIC support for new parents.  

The abortion issue has divided and defined our party for decades.  Instead of only debating the legality of abortion or waiting for the reversal of Roe v. Wade, we must focus on decreasing the perceived need for abortion; and that is the goal of the PWSA–a bill that all people of faith can embrace.