Washington – Today Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser announced that the group’s 280,000 pro-life grassroots activists from around the country sent over one and a half million letters, emails and phone calls to Congress in 2009.
“2009 saw pro-life grassroots activity grow exponentially, and we have exceeded our activism goal this year by well over half a million contacts,” said Dannenfelser. “Susan B. Anthony List activists were more engaged this year than ever before, and each and every one of them has been passionate about making sure their voice is heard by Congress. This increase in pro-life activism might surprise political elites, but anyone who has paid attention to the polls this year knows—the majority of Americans are pro-life. And they are tired of having their issue, and the innocent lives of boys and girls, thrown under the bus on Capitol Hill. The grassroots outrage at the abortion mandate in the health care drove pro-life activists to town hall meetings, district offices, local rallies, the Capitol Hill switchboard and the post office. As we head into 2010, Congress should heed the message of pro-life Americans quickly, or else face the consequences of their votes against the conscience of the pro-life majority at the ballot box.”
In 2009 the Susan B. Anthony List reached 1.5 million contacts to Congress via the Susan B. Anthony List Legislative Action Center hosted on the organization’s website (www.sbaprolife.org). This year the Legislative Action Center sent more letters to Congress and the President than have been sent each year since the action center was launched in 2002. Susan B. Anthony List activists sent more contacts to Congress in 2009 than all the contacts combined in the years 2004 to 2008. Activists have contacted their Congressional representatives on a range of issues, from the nomination of pro-abortion leaders to stopping the abortion mandate in health care reform legislation.
“Every day, public servants decide where they are willing to draw a line in the sand, what principles they are willing defend, no matter the cost,” Dannenfelser continued. “Members of 111th Congress who chose to vote against the consciences of their constituents should consider themselves on notice – votes have consequences. This is particularly true for members of the House of Representatives, who will face the most important vote of their career upon returning from Christmas recess. House members would do well to consider the impact of their final health care vote. Abortion should never a legitimate aspect of any ‘health care’ debate, and what is more, Americans overwhelmingly do not want abortion as a part of heath care reform.”
On December 23, 2009, a poll conducted by Quinnipiac University Polling Institute found that a decisive majority (72%) of Americans oppose the use of public funds for abortion. This echoes the findings of previous polls. In October a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll found that 61% of Americans oppose the use of federal dollars for abortion.
“As we prepare for the 2010 elections, the Susan B. Anthony List stands ready to defend the voices of pro-life America,” said Dannenfelser. “Voters will know whether their legislator voted on the side of Life, or whether they stood for the American pro-life majority and the lives of the unborn.”
As part of its Votes Have Consequences project, the Susan B. Anthony List has funded television ads in Nevada (video) and Pennsylvania (video), radio ads in Nevada, Arkansas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and targeted advocacy telephone campaigns nationwide to mobilize pro-life Americans to contact Congress and urge their legislators to defend Life in health care reform. The project will continue to educate and mobilize pro-life Americans about key Congressional votes in 2010.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 280,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
CONTACT: Mallory Quigley at (703) 875-3370 or [email protected]
SBA Pro-Life America's mission is to end abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders. Your secure gift today will help to advance a culture of life and protect unborn children and their mothers from abortion.
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