Pro-life Democrats to move to leadership positions

Contact: Kristen Day, Executive Director, Democrats For Life of America, 202-220-3066

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 /Standard Newswire/ -- Democrats For Life of America applauded the Democratic leadership today for recruiting pro-life Democrats to run for key Congressional races in this week’s history making elections.

“Right after John Kerry’s loss in 2004, the Democratic Party finally started talking about including pro-life Democrats in the big tent of the Democratic Party.  They put their money where their mouths are and assisted pro-life Democrats.  Their inclusion helped pro-life Democrats win and played a significant role in handing over control of the US Senate and House.  In addition to adding Bob Casey to the Senate, Democrats will see 6 new pro-life Democrats in the House,” said DFLA’s Executive Director Kristen Day.

The new pro-life faces in the US House include: Heath Shuler of North Carolina, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Brad Ellsworth of Indiana, Charlie Wilson of Ohio, Chris Carney and Jason Altmire both of Pennsylvania.

“We’ve said for years that when we expand the big tent of the Democratic Party, Democrats win.  Tuesday night is proof.  Now Democrats need to continue to allow pro-life Democrats to help set the agenda in the 110th Congress,” said Kristen Day, Executive Director of Democrats For Life of America.  “We look forward to working with Congresswomen Nancy Pelosi and the new leaders of the House to promote an agenda that will dramatically reduce the abortion rate in America.  We applaud Congresswoman Pelosi understanding that Democrats need to govern from the center and that we must put our words into action by promoting common ground as a way to solve the problems we face. 

Democrats For Life of America’s top priorities for the 110th Congress are:  passing the Pregnant Women Support Act, introduced by Congressman Lincoln Davis and received bipartisan support, fully funding the National Cord Blood Inventory Act which will save lives and passing the Child Custody Protection Act. 

Several pro-life democrats will assume leadership positions in the new Democratic majority in the House.  Rep. Jim Oberstar will chair the Transportation Committee, Rep. Collin Peterson will chair the Agriculture Committee and Rep Ike Skelton will head the Armed Services Committee.  Several other pro-life democrats will chair House subcommittees.

Democrats For Life of America was founded in 1999 to mobilize Democrats at the local, state, and national levels.  Their primary mission has been to elect pro-life Democrats, support pro-life elected officials, promote a pro-life plank in the Democratic Party platform and achieve legislation that fosters respect for human life. Democrats For Life of America currently has 41 state chapters with plans to expand the group into additional states by the end of the year.  In addition to the grassroots support across America, the group has several Members of Congress who are actively promoting the group’s mission.