Dear Mr. Stanczak:
Thank you for contacting me to share your support for S. 91, the Life at Conception Act. I strongly believe that the unborn fetus deserves the rights and protections that all human beings desire. I am very proud that I have a 100% voter approval rating from the 111th Congress National Right to Life scorecard.
The Life at Conception Act was introduced on January 25, 2011, and would declare that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being beginning at the moment of fertilization. Following its introduction, S. 91 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for review.
I have consistently cosponsored and voted for many pieces of pro-life legislation over the course of my career. For example, I voted in favor of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, which President Bush signed into law on November 5, 2003. I also cosponsored and supported the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which creates a separate offence for criminals that attempt to harm or kill an unborn child in a mother's womb. President Bush signed this legislation into law on April 1, 2004. In addition, I remain a firm supporter of the Hyde amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortions; I have supported upholding a ban on elective abortions in military facilities; I have opposed the inclusion of an abortion benefit in national health reform plans; and I support allowing OB/GYN residents with a moral objection to abortion to opt-out of related training.
As you are likely aware, the subject of abortion has been especially pertinent to the recent health care reform debate. Many have expressed concerns that the language in the new law does not go far enough to prevent taxpayer subsidization of abortions. I opposed the health care bill. In addition, during Senate consideration of the bill, I joined in support of efforts to make absolutely clear that abortions cannot be funded by public dollars and that insurers would be prohibited from offering abortion coverage to any individuals purchasing plans through new government insurance subsidies. Unfortunately, that language was not included in the bill signed by the President.
In January 2011, I joined every other Republican senator in cosponsoring legislation that would, if passed, repeal outright the new law and have voted twice to repeal it.
Again, thank you for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Richard G. Lugar
United States Senator