Some Congressional Democrats Promote Family Planning, Assistance For Women Proceeding With Unintended Pregnancies, Avoid Abortion Issue Directly

The Washington Post on Sunday examined how Democratic congressional leaders are attempting to "tiptoe around the abortion issue" by calling for the approval of legislation that would assist women who carry unintended pregnancies to term and encourage contraception use. According to the Post, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has "helped smooth the path" for a measure sponsored by Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), who opposes abortion rights, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), who supports abortion rights, that would expand access to contraception, extend adoption tax credits, boost health care access for low-income women and children, and fund sex education programs. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who opposes abortion rights, has introduced a measure (S 21) that would increase access to emergency contraception, and increase family planning services funding and ensure contraception equity in health insurance plans. The bills are an "attempt to broaden the discussion beyond the traditional framework of whether abortion should be legal," and the moderate Democratic policy group Third Way has been giving counsel to lawmakers about "prevention rhetoric," the Post reports. Some Democrats hope measures aimed at preventing unintended pregnancies will "become a bridge within the party and even across the aisle to some Republicans," but there are "still minefields" in regard to the issue, the Post reports. Democrats for Life, which opposes abortion rights, does not support Ryan and DeLauro's measure. Instead, the group is calling for approval of a bill supported by some Republicans that would expand health benefits and welfare services for pregnant women and would improve health insurance for prenatal care. The measure does not include provisions on contraception (Murray, Washington Post, 1/21).

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