Supporting Pregnant Women and the 95-10 Initiative

We have an opportunity to establish viable,
concrete routes of support for pregnant women, including medical care, legal

aid, vocational training, and educational reform.  It is our duty as Americans, as Democrats,
and as people of faith to safeguard the lives of the unborn.  In doing so, we safeguard our morals and our
countr.

Supporting Pregnant
Women to Reduce the Abortion Rate

I applaud the Faithful Democrats for providing a forum for
upfront and honest discussion on critically important issues facing our
nation.  The forum is one that will
foster cooperation and help to find real solutions and common ground on
difficult topics.  The discourse and
actions prompted by Reducing Abortion Week demonstrates the importance and
necessity of thoughtful discussion.  

We have witnessed the Democratic leaders in Congress take a
new direction and leadership on reducing the abortion rate in America and I
am proud to be part of this effort.  We
started our mission to reduce the abortion rate by 95 percent in 10 years
almost 2 years ago when we introduced the 95-10 Initiative.  Ninety-five percent  represents the number of abortions performed
for reasons other than rape, incest, severe fetal deformity, and the life of
the mother, the reasons most Americans believe abortion should be legal  We have met with groups, individuals and
elected officials all over the country to promote this new challenge.

While pro-life Democrats would like to see abortion end
altogether, the big tent of the Democratic Party provides room for different
views.  Regardless of ones views on
abortion, as Democrats, we agree that promoting affordable healthcare and child
care, a living wage, and safe communities are the foundation of democratic
values and key to reducing the abortion.   

Our Platform calls on making abortion rare and all Democrats
can and should agree on this goal. 
Congressman Ryan and Congresswomen DeLauro introduced a bill inspired by
our 95-10 Initiative.  Congressman
Lincoln Davis has introduced the Pregnant Women Support Act (PWSA) also stemmed
from the 95-10 Initiative.   While
similar bills, we have endorsed the Davis
bill because it is closest to our original intent which is to focus attention
and support for the pregnant women.  By
ensuring help to those who need it the most, the PWSA offers a new hope for our
society.  When women are given the
support they need to raise their children, there is no other choice but
life.  In eliminating the need for
abortion, we unite our country by solving the highest moral question of our
time.

We
applaud Senator Kerry for noting what is at the heart of our 95-10 Initiative
when he said, "How can we keep our nation from turning to violence to solve
some of its most difficult problems-abortion to deal with difficult
pregnancies…"  He expressed so clearly
our goal that we need to help women turn away from the societal coercion that
many have been forced to make when choosing abortion over life.

We have an opportunity to establish viable, concrete
routes of support for pregnant women, including medical care, legal aid, vocational
training, and educational reform.  It is
our duty as Americans, as Democrats, and as people of faith to safeguard the
lives of the unborn.  In doing so, we
safeguard our morals and our country.

Kristen Day is the Executive Director of Democrats For Life of America