Grassfire Team Members Asked And The President Delivered Strong Pro-Life Message!

On May 3, President Bush sent letters to Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi affirming his pro-life position -- just as 49,573 Grassfire team members requested!

As you know, Grassfire joined Sen. Brownback and others in asking the President to send a letter to Congress affirming his pro-life stance. And he did it!

We delivered over 45,000 petitions both to Sen. Brownback and to the White House. I believe your petitions made a difference -- the President directly responded to the request.

He closed his letter by saying, “I will veto any legislation that weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, or that encourages the destruction of human life at any stage.”

Grassfire has obtained a copy of the letter, transcribed below.

Also, take a moment to call the White House and thank the President for writing his pro-life letter to Congress: 202-456-1414

Candidates speak out on abortion
Finally, last night’s Republican presidential debate featured many questions on abortion. We have posted these questions and the candidates’ responses here.

I'd love to read your comments on this blog entry. Thanks again to everyone who signed the petition calling on the President to clearly state his pro-life views to Congress! Your actions made a difference!

Steve Elliott, President
Grassfire.org

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President Bush's letter to Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi:

Dear Mr. Leader/Madam Speaker:

I am concerned that this year the Congress may consider legislation that could substantially change Federal policies and laws on abortion, and allow taxpayer dollars to be used for the destruction of human life.  I am writing to make sure that there is no misunderstanding of my views on these important issues.

Our Nation was founded on the belief that every human being has rights, dignity, and matchless value.  Every child should be welcomed into life and protected in law.  The advancement of science and medicine need not conflict with the ethical imperative to cherish and protect every life.  In fact, advances in science have made it possible to see life developing at earlier stages and underscore Americans’ obligation to protect helpless and innocent life from destruction, whether it is in the womb or elsewhere.  These issues are deeply emotional and are made even more complicated when the American taxpayer is asked to fund efforts that end human life.

As you know, current law prohibits Federal funding for abortion, both domestically and internationally, except in cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother is endangered.  Recent legislative practice has ensured that taxpayer funds do not underwrite organizations that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning.  Current U.S. law protects human embryos.  The standing pattern is that appropriate conscience protections must be in place for health care entities, and that taxpayer dollars may not be used in coercive or involuntary family planning programs.

I urge that these and other existing, important protections be respected and continued.  I believe it is the most basic duty of Government to guard the innocent.  With that in mind, I will veto any legislation that weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, or that encourages the destruction of human life at any stage.