Statement of Frances Kissling on “Reducing the Need for
Abortion and Supporting Parents Act” |
Site last published: 01/06/10
Statement of Frances Kissling on “Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act”
February 15,2007
Frances Kissling,
president of Catholics for a Free Choice, issued
the following statement on the introduction of a
bill by Rep. Tim Ryan (OH) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro
(CT), “Reducing the Need for Abortion and
Supporting Parents Act.”
“As Catholics committed to enabling women to exercise their right to conscience and to quality reproductive health care, we are pleased to support the newly introduced Ryan-DeLauro bill, ‘Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act.’
“Access to safe and legal abortion is a woman’s right. At the same time, women have been clear in their desire to avoid the need for abortion as well as to have their reproductive health care needs met throughout their lives. The ‘Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act’ is an important step forward in meeting women’s needs. It provides for substantially increased funding for family planning for low-income women which will help them avoid unintended pregnancy. It also provides funds for women who wish to continue their pregnancies.
“This two-pronged approach avoids an ideological stalemate and bridges the gap between sensible, well-motivated members of Congress who hold differing views on abortion. For those opposed to abortion rights, the recognition that contraception is vital in reducing the need for abortion is critical. For those who support the right to abortion, a stronger commitment to helping women continue pregnancies without sinking deeper into poverty is a core value of the prochoice community.
“As Catholics deeply committed to real choices for women and their families, we support all efforts that will improve the lives of women, especially those who are poor and marginalized. In the long run, substantially more resources than those in the bill will be required to meet women’s needs. But we must start here with the ‘Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act’ and another bill that has also been introduced, ‘Prevention First.’ Both these bills deserve the full support of every advocate for women’s well-being and for choice.”
“As Catholics committed to enabling women to exercise their right to conscience and to quality reproductive health care, we are pleased to support the newly introduced Ryan-DeLauro bill, ‘Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act.’
“Access to safe and legal abortion is a woman’s right. At the same time, women have been clear in their desire to avoid the need for abortion as well as to have their reproductive health care needs met throughout their lives. The ‘Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act’ is an important step forward in meeting women’s needs. It provides for substantially increased funding for family planning for low-income women which will help them avoid unintended pregnancy. It also provides funds for women who wish to continue their pregnancies.
“This two-pronged approach avoids an ideological stalemate and bridges the gap between sensible, well-motivated members of Congress who hold differing views on abortion. For those opposed to abortion rights, the recognition that contraception is vital in reducing the need for abortion is critical. For those who support the right to abortion, a stronger commitment to helping women continue pregnancies without sinking deeper into poverty is a core value of the prochoice community.
“As Catholics deeply committed to real choices for women and their families, we support all efforts that will improve the lives of women, especially those who are poor and marginalized. In the long run, substantially more resources than those in the bill will be required to meet women’s needs. But we must start here with the ‘Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act’ and another bill that has also been introduced, ‘Prevention First.’ Both these bills deserve the full support of every advocate for women’s well-being and for choice.”
--end--
Catholics for Free Choice
(CFFC) shapes and advances sexual and reproductive
ethics that are based on justice, reflect a
commitment to women’s well being, and respect and
affirm the moral capacity of women and men to make
sound decisions about their lives. Through
discourse, education, and advocacy, CFFC works in
the US and internationally to infuse these values
into public policy, community life, feminist
analysis, and Catholic social thinking and
teaching.