I am a pro-life member of Congress. I have voted in favor of parental notification laws, for the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, against abortion in federally funded military medical facilities, for the Unborn Victims of Violence Act,
against partial-birth abortion, and against human cloning. I stand by
all those votes and, in addition, I have explained to Speaker Pelosi my
position that healthcare reform should prohibit public funds from
paying for abortions (a provision which the House Energy and Commerce
Committee added to the bill).

I
believe that for elected leaders like myself who oppose abortion, it’s
not enough to say what we’re against; we must say what we are for. That
is why I came together with my pro-choice colleague Rep. Rosa DeLauro
of Connecticut to introduce the Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion, and Supporting Parents Act, which offers common-ground policy solutions to reduce abortions by addressing the root causes.

The act has two policy tracks: preventing unintended pregnancies and
providing support for women who do become pregnant. The bill is backed
by a broad coalition of pro-life and pro-choice supporters never before
assembled. Together, we seek to reduce the number of abortions in our
nation while reducing the rancor and acrimony that can too often lead
to tragedy, such as the recent murder of Dr. George Tiller.

I remained convinced, and the data support, that for meaningful
reductions in abortion, there must be a contraception component
included to prevent unintended pregnancies. Four out of 10 unintended
pregnancies end in abortion, and 57 percent of abortions are performed
on women who live at or below 200 percent of the poverty line. Thus, we
can’t reduce abortions without preventing unintended pregnancies and
providing support for low-income woman. My legislation does both.

I understand the sensitivity and emotional impact this issue has had
for many Americans, but I believe that with my fellow colleagues,
Secretary Sebelius, and President Obama, we can find a common sense
solution to solve this debate. It is obvious that no American is
pro-abortion, and I plan on working to create a solution that works for
every American.