Boston, Mass., Jan 14, 2010 / 04:04 am
Abortion has become a live issue in the Jan. 19 special U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts. While both candidates generally support permissive abortion law, controversy has centered upon pro-life conscience protections, partial-birth abortion and the place of abortion in the health care bill.
State Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican, is running against Democrat Martha Coakley, the state Attorney General.
According to Massachusetts Citizens for Life, Brown opposes taxpayer funding for abortion and the so-called Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). Unlike Brown, Coakley opposes a ban on partial birth abortion, parental consent requirements for minors seeking abortions, and favors taxpayer funding for abortion.
While Brown supports specifically exempting abortion from health care, Coakley opposes it.