Looking for Common Ground on Abortion Reduction
By: U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis
Published February 14, 2009
The Tennessean

U.S. Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and I have crafted companion bills we believe can achieve an ambitious goal: reducing the number of abortions in this country by 90% within the next ten years.

With every constituent I help, every vote I cast, every letter I sign, every law I write, my faith and my upbringing guide the work I do as a Congressman. I believe the rhetoric of abortion activists on both sides has steered us away from the prospect of a solution to this debate. For some, the right to choose is fundamental to their approach to this discussion. For others, myself included, there is an understanding that the life of an unborn child is a sacred blessing that warrants our vigilant protection.

However opposed these two positions may seem, I believe there is a consensus that I intend to seek out through my Pregnant Women Support Act. Shortly before President Obama announced the creation of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, an expansion of the Office of Faith Based Initiatives, the White House called my office to inform me that abortion reduction will play a significant role in the program's expanded mission. I took this as a positive step toward getting both sides to work together on abortion reduction. Whether pro-life or pro-choice, reducing the number of abortions in this country is a worthy goal. There are a number of things we must to do achieve this, some of which include:

First, we need to collect data on where abortions are happening in this country and exactly why women are terminating their pregnancies.

Second, pregnant women, newborns and unborn children deserve the best health care we can provide. The Congress took a positive step in addressing this issue a week ago when a provision of my legislation was included in a children's healthcare bill that was signed into law.

Third, if we are to ensure that each woman makes every effort to carry her pregnancy to term, then we must make every effort to get that woman every resource available for her to do so. This includes providing support for pregnant victims of domestic violence, as well as pregnant youth and young parents, who are either struggling to finish their education or simply care for a child. New mothers need to know we will help them find a home or other resources if they are in need, and we must provide safe and efficient adoption alternatives for women who have given birth but cannot keep their newborn child.

These are complex realities, but if we are to address this issue then we must be willing to face these problems with resolve and determination. America is a place of unmatched innovation and goodwill. I have confidence we will see the adoption of our legislation to reduce abortions come to light.

U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis represents the Fourth Congressional District. He is a member of the Appropriations Committee and Science Committee. Visit www.house.gov/lincolndavis.