Washington D.C., Jul 24, 2009 / 11:13 am
An official with the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-life Activities has attacked a federal bill promising to prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce abortions, characterizing it as a "Planned Parenthood Economic Stimulus Package." She said increased abstinence among youth, not contraceptive access, should be encouraged.
The bill, co-sponsored by Reps. Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), is titled "Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act." Its sponsors have described it as a "common ground" initiative that would appeal to people on all sides of the abortion debate.
Susan Wills, Assistant Director for Education and Outreach in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, said the bill is "dressed up" with some funding for after-school programs and "very poorly crafted" efforts to support pregnant students.
However, she quoted Rep. Ryan’s May 19 remarks on MSNBC’s "Hardball," in which the congressman said the bill is "about access to birth control."