Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Reid and Abortion
Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid wasted no time in trying to change the Democratic language/strategy regarding abortion. The Bill listed below was just introduced in the Senate. The text isn't available just yet.
In my mind, key words are "reduce unintended pregnancy" and "reduce the number of abortions". It's not an extremist position, they are not trying to become "Republican-lite" and be anti-abortion, they are just trying to inject some common sense on the issue. Keep it safe, legal and rare. Bush has been in office for 4 years now, with a Republican Congress and Supreme Court, and abortion is still legal. That's not going to change. We've won. Keep vigilant on it, but let's frame the debate better. That's what Reid's doing. And for those anti-Reid Dems, who think he's too conservative (he's not), look at the liberals who cosponsored:
Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] - 1/24/2005 Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA] - 1/24/2005
Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] - 1/24/2005 Sen Corzine, Jon [NJ] - 1/24/2005
Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] - 1/24/2005 Sen Harkin, Tom [IA] - 1/24/2005
Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] - 1/24/2005 Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] - 1/24/2005
Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] - 1/24/2005 Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] - 1/24/2005
Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] - 1/24/2005 Sen Levin, Carl [MI] - 1/24/2005
Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] - 1/24/2005 Sen Murray, Patty [WA] - 1/24/2005
Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] - 1/24/2005 Sen Stabenow, Debbie [MI] - 1/24/2005
Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] - 1/24/2005
Now, look at the bill that was just introduced in the Senate by the Republicans:
S.51 : A bill to ensure that women seeking an abortion are fully informed regarding the pain experienced by their unborn child.Sponsor: Sen Brownback, Sam [KS] (introduced 1/24/2005) Cosponsors (31)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 1/24/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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S.20 : A bill to expand access to preventive health care services that help reduce unintended pregnancy, reduce the number of abortions, and improve access to women's health care.Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry M. [NV] (introduced 1/24/2005) Cosponsors (17)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 1/24/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In my mind, key words are "reduce unintended pregnancy" and "reduce the number of abortions". It's not an extremist position, they are not trying to become "Republican-lite" and be anti-abortion, they are just trying to inject some common sense on the issue. Keep it safe, legal and rare. Bush has been in office for 4 years now, with a Republican Congress and Supreme Court, and abortion is still legal. That's not going to change. We've won. Keep vigilant on it, but let's frame the debate better. That's what Reid's doing. And for those anti-Reid Dems, who think he's too conservative (he's not), look at the liberals who cosponsored:
Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] - 1/24/2005 Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA] - 1/24/2005
Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] - 1/24/2005 Sen Corzine, Jon [NJ] - 1/24/2005
Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] - 1/24/2005 Sen Harkin, Tom [IA] - 1/24/2005
Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] - 1/24/2005 Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] - 1/24/2005
Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] - 1/24/2005 Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] - 1/24/2005
Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] - 1/24/2005 Sen Levin, Carl [MI] - 1/24/2005
Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] - 1/24/2005 Sen Murray, Patty [WA] - 1/24/2005
Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] - 1/24/2005 Sen Stabenow, Debbie [MI] - 1/24/2005
Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] - 1/24/2005
Now, look at the bill that was just introduced in the Senate by the Republicans:
S.51 : A bill to ensure that women seeking an abortion are fully informed regarding the pain experienced by their unborn child.Sponsor: Sen Brownback, Sam [KS] (introduced 1/24/2005) Cosponsors (31)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 1/24/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
