Another Dem presents a different abortion-reduction proposal

Just six days after a group of Democrats from the House of Representatives announced legislation aimed at reducing the number of abortions in the United States, a second bill with the same goal was presented by another House Democrat.

The proposed legislation, Pregnant Women Support Act, was unveiled during a Sept. 20 press conference on Capitol Hill by Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn.

The bill has the support of the U.S. Catholic bishops, unlike the similar legislative proposal, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act, announced Sept. 14 by Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio. The newest legislative proposal does not include expanded contraception access, a component of Ryan’s proposal which drew objections from the U.S. bishops’ pro-life spokeswoman.

In a statement distributed at the press conference announcing the Davis bill, Deirdre McQuade, director of planning and information for the bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, said she "applauds constructive initiatives to support women and their children, both born and unborn."

"Everyone can agree that no woman should choose abortion due to economic duress," she said, adding that her office looks "forward to working with Congressman Davis to accomplish these goals through initiatives that respect the dignity and lives of both mothers and their children."