AP/Reuters: Recession linked to more abortions
Congressman Lincoln Davis Renews Call to Pass Pregnant Women Support ActApril 28, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. Recently, both the Associated Press and Reuters News Service reported that the recession is a factor influencing more Americans to opt for an abortion. Congressman Lincoln Davis responded to the news by repeating his call for increased benefits to pregnant mothers.

"In this tough economy, the evidence is clearer than ever that there is a direct link between an expecting woman's resources and her willingness to carry a pregnancy to term," said Congressman Davis. "As a pro-life Democrat, I believe it is a moral responsibility to have resources in place so pregnant women may carry their pregnancies to term."

The Pregnant Women Support Act, H.R. 2035, provides a comprehensive solution to many of the challenges that may lead women to seek abortion services and aims to reduce the number of abortions in America by 95% over the next ten years. Specifically, the legislation would provide resources to expectant mothers that include housing benefits, day-care payment assistance, college tuition benefits, domestic violence prevention and other support measures.

Of the 1.29 million abortions performed annually, 73% of women seeking abortions list economic factors as contributing to the decision to have an abortion. To counter this, the Pregnant Women Support Act includes language that lowers the cost of bringing a child to full term by providing access to services and benefits currently not widely available.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.