Consistent Life News
Issue #5, Fall 2005
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Democrats for Life
(A Consistent Life member organization)
by Carol Crossed

Something strange is happening in the Democratic Party, something that's making some Republicans and pro-choice absolutists nervous. Democratic Party leaders are acknowledging there are indeed pro-life Democrats.

Howard Dean, Democratic National Committee Chair, Sen. Hillary Clinton (NY), and Sen. John Kerry (MA) have all said the party needs to reach out to prolifers. Their call for openness is already bearing fruit. Some examples:

• Democratic state legislators in Oklahoma passed the most comprehensive prolife legislation since Roe v Wade.
   
• Texas State Democratic Chair, Charles Soechting, was the keynote speaker June 11 at a state Democrats for Life convention.
   
• New York's Nassau County Manager, Tom Suozzi, unveiled a "Common Sense for the Common Good" program that will demonstrate Democrat's respect for life by funding adoptions.

In April, Howard Dean welcomed delegates from Democrats for Life of America, an organization that has grown to include chapters in 41 states, to DNC headquarters in Washington. The occasion was the unveiling of DFLA's 95-10 Initiative, a comprehensive proposal of 15 different pro-woman/pro-child policies that, if implemented, could potentially reduce the number of abortions in America by 95 percent over the next 10 years.

Two Supreme Court cases, Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton had the net effect of approving abortion on demand, a practice of which the majority of Americans disapprove, while accepting exceptions in cases of rape, incest, severe disability of the child, or the life of the mother. These cases represent less than 5% of US abortions. It is in the other 95% of abortions that Democrats for Life wants to make a difference through 95/10.

The program would make adoption tax credits permanent, ban pregnancy as a 'preexisting condition', and make grants for ultrasounds so women can see their babies' development. It includes legislation requiring women's health centers and abortion clinics to disclose adverse effects of abortion, both emotional and physical and parental notification of their underage daughter's abortion. Other measures will require non-abortive contraception in insurance coverage, and full funding for the federal Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC). There's something here to offend everybody. But we believe if Republicans and Democrats can compromise, the net result will be more women valued and empowered, and fewer abortions.

At the press conference to announce the initiative, Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) said, "[95/10] outlined today is a good first step to successfully reduce the rate of abortion by offering alternatives that promote family, promote adoption, and provide education and support for new mothers."

Given the growth of the DFLA - and the willingness of the Democratic Party leadership to pay attention to it - the national party may moderate its abortion views. Some of those close elections could swing the Democrats' way.

Carol Crossed is a member of the Consistent Life Board, and also serves as Vice President of Chapter Development for Democrats for Life of America.