Democrats announce second bill aimed at reducing number of abortions

[The Straight Story]

Democrats announce second bill aimed at reducing number of abortions

By Carol Zimmermann
Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Just six days after a group of Democrats from the House of Representatives announced legislation aimed at reducing the number of abortions in the United States, a second bill with the same goal was presented by another House Democrat.

The proposed legislation, Pregnant Women Support Act, was unveiled during a Sept. 20 press conference on Capitol Hill by Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn.

The bill has the support of the U.S. Catholic bishops, unlike the similar legislative proposal, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act, announced Sept. 14 by Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio. The newest legislative proposal does not include expanded contraception access, a component of Ryan's proposal which drew objections from the U.S. bishops' pro-life spokeswoman.

In a statement distributed at the press conference announcing the Davis bill, Deirdre McQuade, director of planning and information for the bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, said she "applauds constructive initiatives to support women and their children, both born and unborn."

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0605386.htm

[Beaverhausen]

1. They should call it "reduction in number of unwanted pregnancies"

because that is the only way to reduce the number of abortions.

[don954]

3. ya, but this makes it irresistible to fundies.

everything in a name... kinda like the patriot act, but hopefully less evil...

[brentspeak]

2. If the proposals don't involve weakening a woman's right to choose

then they are a step in the correct direction.

[Iris]

4. "does not include expanded contraceptive access"

"The newest legislative proposal does not include expanded contraception access, a component of Ryan's proposal which drew objections from the U.S. bishops' pro-life spokeswoman.

In a statement distributed at the press conference announcing the Davis bill, Deirdre McQuade, director of planning and information for the bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, said she "applauds constructive initiatives to support women and their children, both born and unborn."


"The proposal calls for adoption tax credits, grants for low-income college students who are parents, increased funding for domestic violence programs and free home visits by registered nurses for new mothers."

Still - no mention of contraception.

[blogslut]

6. yeah

sucks, don't it? :(

[Iris]

8. I think so.

[Iris]

7. dupe

[Beaverhausen]

9. oh crap - I missed the "not" in that sentence

Grrrrr.

Hello!!! The only way to lower the number of abortions is to lower the number of unwanted pregnancies!!!

[Iris]

10. or coerce already pregnant women to continue their pregnancies

[kath]

12. No mention of contraception, because the far right wants to undo Griswold-

sex is only for when you're married and want to make a baby, don'cha know.

They won't stop at reversing Roe. They're going after Griswold too.

[pooja]

5. How about information. How about building up young women

and men to believe in themselves. It is something now to get over. It is something you have to do. It is something you are pressured into doing. How about teaching your children that it is ok not to have sex. Teach them that it is something you do with someone you love. And then teach them along with that preventive measures to help to ensure that they act with all the responsibility that they can when it comes to having sex. You can't say "no, don't do this". It doesn't work. My mother had serious discussions with me and my sister about responsibilities involved in adult activities and about relationships with love and the freedom to want to share your body with another person intimately.

[AZBlue]

11. Exactly! And how about truth on how it really is for a young unwed mom.

Not just during pregnancy and the first year or two of the child's life - how hard it is for the rest of her life! How much she is going to have to struggle and sacrifice. Heck, even if she's married, they are still going to be pushed to their limits. No, not just to their limits - beyond them!

Is it just me, or does this bill almost encourage pregnancy? It takes away some of the financial deterrents that exist now. I'm not saying that the coverage shouldn't be there - but without a balance of contraceptive and real-life education, it's almost as one-sided as an anti-abortion bill.