January 16, 2019
The President
The White House Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
You have repeatedly made it clear that your administration would be a pro-life administration, both domestically and internationally. Concerned Women for America applauds you for acting to fulfill this promise and standing for life. Your Department of Health and Human Services is working to finalize several pro-life rules, including conscience protections, reforms to the Title X program, and reforms to health insurance regarding the coverage of abortion. Abroad, we praise your administration for pro-life measures including the expansion of the Mexico City Policy and directing U.S. delegates to the UN tostrike references to “sexual reproductive health,” a term widely used to refer to the inclusion of abortion services in family planning. It has been an honor to join you in partnership and support regarding these measures.
As you know, a divided Congress brings unique challenges and threats to the pro-life movement. Your leadership is vital. In order to preserve the pro-life policies you and your administration are working hard to support and implement, we urge you to commit publicly to veto any legislation that weakens existing pro-life policy or current protections, moving us backwards on life. This veto commitment is not unprecedented; both Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush sent letters to Congress issuing similar veto threats during their administrations and followed through. Their strong stance prevented us from losing hard-fought ground. Pro-life members in the House and the Senate have asked for this veto commitment and are ready to back you up to sustain any veto. This sends a clear message that life is not a bargaining chip.
Even with a divided Congress, we encourage you to fight for life in every way possible and defund the abortion industry. Planned Parenthood still receives over half a billion dollars in federal funding annually. Unethical research using fetal tissue from elective abortions is still practiced and funded by the millions through the National Institutes of Health. Healthcare workers in states are still forced to perform or assist in abortions regardless of conscience objections. While notable progress has been made, there is still much work to be done.
Concerned Women for America’s members and supporters across America stand strong with your administration on these crucial issues. Thank you for holding human life at every stage in high esteem, prioritizing it as President, and leading the good work of your Administration. We will continue to work with you to end abortion in America.
Sincerely,
Penny Nance
CEO and President