The Day After: Moving the Choice Discussion Forward

Yesterday, we proudly recognized a date when over three decades ago the Supreme Court affirmed a woman's right to privacy, taking pride in the fact that thirty-five years ago our nation was fortunate enough to have a court that actually protected a women's right to make her own choices about her reproductive health. Yesterday, we took stock in how far we have come as a country. Today, the day after, let us look at the next steps we must take to move forward.

We find ourselves today with a positive foundation for protecting a women's right to choose. The American people widely stand in support of Roe v. Wade with 60% believing the decision should be upheld. We, as a nation, are essentially agreed that women, not politicians or the courts should make their own personal choices. We have worked so hard to successfully establish and maintain this broad coalition of support and should be proud of what has been accomplished.

Now, recognizing that public opinion is largely on our side, let us take the next step together to move the discussion forward. While continuing to ensure that a women's right to choose is protected, let us expand and solidify our broad coalition by permanently including another critical component, prevention, into the conversation.

The United States has one of the highest rates of unintended pregnancies among industrialized nations. One out of every three girls becomes pregnant before the age of 20. By talking about preventing unintended pregnancies in addition to choice, we can alter the terms of the debate in order to make a difference for young women.

I am the author of H.R. 819, the Prevention First Act. With 160 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, this legislation provides an innovative way to protect women's reproductive health while reducing unintended pregnancies, decreasing the spread of STDs, and providing women, regardless of income, with the tools they need to make the best decisions possible for themselves. My bill takes very definitive steps to achieve these goals by providing comprehensive access to all forms of contraception and sex education.

The American people agree with this; an overwhelming majority supports the comprehensive approach that the Prevention First Act takes. You may be surprised to know that a majority of voters, 76%, support comprehensive sex education in public schools. You may be even further surprised to know that a majority of each of the following groups supports it as well: Democrats, Independents, Republicans, Catholics, and evangelical Christians. In addition, 75% of voters "strongly favor" protecting the right of individuals to get contraception without government interference or intrusion. Finally, 73% "strongly favor" making it easier for women at all income levels to obtain contraceptives.

Leaders of conservative organizations interested in scoring cheap political points, not solving problems, have sought to limit women's rights and freedoms by imposing stricter penalties and enacting laws to criminalize doctors and women. However, at the same time, these leaders have done next to nothing to ensure that millions of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are prevented in the first place. If you oppose abortion, you must be for preventing unintended pregnancies.

My bill, the Prevention First Act, is the logical next step to ensure the reproductive health of women across the country. Today, on the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, let us move forward to meet this challenge together.

Comments

[TeddySalad]

I am curious. If the population is overwhelmingly for Abortion Rights, why did we not LEGISLATE IT!!!!!!!!! Let the people VOTE!!! I disagree tha people think Abortion is ok. It is NEVER ok. Under no circumstances.
Murder to get ahead in a career?
Murder to finish College?
Murder to not gain weight?
Murder because you had a one night stand?

It's all selfishness, because it matters not who inseminated you, an innocent life is at stake. Please consider it.

[AlphaDoc]

>The American people widely stand in support of Roe v. Wade with 60% believing the decision should be upheld.<

While 60% may be a majority, I find it both sad and surprising that the number is so low, as the issue itself is so very clear. Most scientists (excepting those with a theological background) will not take other than a personal stand on when life begins, and even the Bible doesn't say that life begins at conception. People have very different moral and fact-based beliefs on the subject, and should be allowed to stand on those beliefs without interference from those who would force their own codes upon others. The bottom line is that each of us has sovereign control over our own bodies, and free will with which to exercise that control.

[Tellmethetruth]

Somehow teaching birth control as part of sex education is only part of the solution. Yes, it may prevent pregnancies which is a goal of the state which doesn't want to support a female and her child who has no husband on welfare. So I can see where reducing single mothers is a way to reduce welfare, which is government objective.

From this article, clearly the goal of the government is a financial move and not really about protecting women or minors from sexual exploitation. A minor who has sex is rape in most states and why are we allowing sexual violence to become common place for girls in schools. Why is there no consequence to males who are allowed to exploit female minors?

The goal of those who want to promote abstainance is not some Puritan objective. It is the recognition that sex among minors is rape and sexual violence that scars the pysche and ability to trust and form deeper long term bonds that families require. 70% of Americans under the age of 35 years grew up in single parent homes without the modeling or experience of the deep bond. This is a tragedy and one of deep, deep hurt. Sex never was free of any consequences. That is the truth that your bill avoids admitting to.

The fact that the government has as it goal to eliminate the financial burden of children born out of wedlock - that is the real purpose of this bill and the article clearly should state this. This goal of government established population control has nothing to do with liberating women from sexual exploitation and abuse, or carrying the scars for life experienced in the US education system where it is taught that males can prey apon underaged females without consequences.

The real concern of government should be to protect underaged girls from sexual abuse and exploitation.

[regis22]

Rep. Slaughter,
Thank you so much for introducing this legislation. All of this Roe v. Wade talk had me thinking about real - not idealistic - solutions. If conservatives really cared about abortion (and not just about trying to prove themselves to be "right") they would look for ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies. In my opinion, this bill is a win for everyone.

[Thirdparty3]

showing ultra sound images of the unborn and educating young adults on what and how abortions are preformed should be a big part of this initiative. If more teenagers become more aware of how awful it is to be in the postion where one is considering an abortion they will be less likely to put themsevles in that position. Furthermore by including abstince as a part(not the whole) of the education you should get widespread support from both sides of the party divide.