Reducing the Abortion Rate Builds Common Ground

For too long, we have seen nothing but distain for opposing viewpoints within the debate over human life and dignity. The blatant obstructionism of many on the pro-choice side melded with the “all-or-nothing” mantra of many on the pro-life side to insure that millions of pregnant women have been left uninformed, impoverished, and fearful, facing a decision on the life of child with little assistance and even less hope.

By Kristen Day

Ellen McCormack ran for President in the 1976 primaries against Jimmy Carter, George Wallace, Morris Udall and other established politicians. Many thought her candidacy was not serious because she was atypical. She was a former legal secretary and the mother of four, but she was also the first woman to qualify for Federal matching funds. She was on the primary ballots of eighteen states and claimed delegates from five. Her purpose was to “speak out in defense of the unborn” because none of the other candidates were. She lost to Jimmy Carter, of course, but the Democratic Party lost as well. 1976 was the first year that an abortion plank was added to the Party platform.

McCormack was not the only pro-life Democrat who has struggled with the Party’s position on abortion. After Governor Dukakis lost in 1988, New York Congressman John LaFalce led an effort to open up the Party’s position on abortion. He said, “This issue, so strongly opposed by millions of Americans, is not going to go away” and advocated against federal funding of abortion. The notorious silencing of Pennsylvania’s Governor Bob Casey at the 1992 Democratic Convention continues to be another flashpoint for debate.

LaFalce was right- the issue has not gone away. It has been used to divide us and America has paid a very high price.

For too long, we have seen nothing but distain for opposing viewpoints within the debate over human life and dignity. The blatant obstructionism of many on the pro-choice side melded with the “all-or-nothing” mantra of many on the pro-life side to insure that millions of pregnant women have been left uninformed, impoverished, and fearful, facing a decision on the life of child with little assistance and even less hope.

The current advance of the Democratic Party is, however, changing the political tone for the better. There is new hope for a respectful and inclusive engagement on America’s divisive social issues. Instead of fighting for a “women’s right to choose”, we hear more Democrats talking about working together and also across political lines to reduce the abortion rate.

Since our founding in 1999, the members of Democrats for Life of America (DFLA) have been promoting an even greater goal: nothing short of the transformation of society for all of its members, particularly those voiceless and most vulnerable. We believe that the highest priority for every American should be to work with willing partners to ease the burden of suffering on the aged, the poor, and especially every human life impacted by an unexpected pregnancy- mother and unborn child, father and family. It’s true that DFLA supports legal curbs on abortion, capital punishment, and euthanasia. However, we believe that a culture that celebrates human life at every stage will only be brought about by aiding and encouraging those who, because of lack of personal and economic resources, believe the termination of life to be their only option.

In 2004, DFLA introduced the 95-10 Initiative, a comprehensive and realistic plan designed to reduce the number of abortions by 95% over a ten-year period. It promotes personal responsibility, adoption, abstinence, and economic support for women and pregnancy-care providers. It looks to the partnership of Federal, state and local agencies, as well as the caring support and encouragement of front-line volunteers, to assist pregnant women.

Our efforts are bearing fruit. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Ben Nelson (D-NE), Congressman Lincoln Davis (D-TN) and other pro-life members of Congress are sponsoring the Pregnant Women Support Act in the U.S. Senate and the House. Based on our 95-10 Initiative, we believe it is the single-best proposal now being considered. It can unite those who are concerned about giving birth in uncertain economic circumstances with those who are concerned about the broader costs of abortion.

The Pregnant Women Support Act would:

· require health facilities to obtain informed consent from a pregnant woman prior to performing an abortion

· allow states to extend health care coverage to an unborn child through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

· prohibit a health insurance issuer offering individual coverage from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion or a waiting period or otherwise discriminating against a woman on the basis of pregnancy

· provide grants for the purchase of ultrasound equipment for examinations of pregnant women

· provide for the collection and dissemination of data on overall abortion rates, as well as information on Down syndrome and other prenatally diagnosed conditions

· provide services to pregnant women who are victims of violence or stalking, as well as requiring a pregnancy determination for homicide victims

· provide grants to increase public awareness of resources available to pregnant women and new parents

· provide grants to public institutions of higher education to establish and operate pregnant and parenting student services offices, along with the provision of services to help pregnant or parenting teens to complete high school

· amend the tax code to increase and make refundable the adoption tax credit, and

· increase the eligibility threshold for food stamps.

While the legislation already attracted bi-partisan support from pro-choice and pro-life people, DFLA urges all Faithful Democrats to: 1) contact their Representatives and the White House, urging them to fully support this bill; 2) link up with others through resources such as Democrats for Life at www.democratsforlife.org or via the facebook group “We Support the Pregnant Women Support Act”; and 3) reach out to any Republicans interested in reducing abortions by caring for pregnant women – many who think abortion is their only option.

Mrs. McCormack said, “Abortion is put forth as a solution for the poor, but I think the poor want better housing, more jobs and food on their tables. I don’t think aborting their babies makes them any happier. I think it probably contributes to their misery.”

As Faithful Democrats, we should all strive to carry on Mrs. McCormack’s tradition of speaking out for the downtrodden, the defenseless, and the unborn.

-Kristen Day is the author of Democrats For Life: Pro-life Politics and the Silenced Majority and serves as Executive Director of Democrats for Life of America.