FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2014
Contact: Mallory Quigley: 703-380-6674
Washington, D.C – Today the national pro-life group the Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) announced a $20,000 radio ad buy encouraging U.S. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia to become the first Democratic senator to cosponsor the federal Pain Capable Unborn Child Act. The legislation would protect unborn children beginning at 20 weeks – more than halfway through pregnancy. Similar laws have been passed in 13 states. The federal bill passed the U.S. House and has more than 40 Senate cosponsors.
The radio campaign comes days after West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed similar legislation which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the state house and senate.
“Democrats once stood up for the weakest and must vulnerable in our society – including the unborn. Senator Manchin has a distinct opportunity to reclaim that pro-life heritage after Governor Tomblin’s shameful failure to stand for principle,” said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “We urge Senator Joe Manchin to embrace his pro-life position and become the first Democratic Senator to cosponsor this popular, modest federal legislation to protect unborn children after 20 weeks.”
A partial scrip of the ad follows:
“Recently West Virginia lawmakers did the right thing. They overwhelmingly voted to protect babies from unbearable pain by ending abortions after 20 weeks. But Governor Earl Ray Tomblin turned his back on those babies and on pro-life West Virginians and vetoed the bill.
“Now it’s up to Senator Joe Manchin to step up for innocent babies. As the most prominent West Virginia leader to call himself pro-life, Manchin must co-sponsor a bill before the U.S. Senate bill to end abortions nationwide after 20 weeks.
“Call Senator Joe Manchin today at (855) 275-5737. Urge him to co-sponsor the bill ending abortions after 20 weeks. Earl Ray Tomblin let us down, but Joe Manchin can do the right thing.”
Today the SBA List will join other national and statewide pro-life organizations for a press conference and vigil in response to Governor Tomblin’s veto.
The Susan B. Anthony List is dedicated to pursuing policies and electing candidates who will reduce and ultimately end abortion. To that end, the SBA List emphasizes the education, promotion, mobilization, and election of pro-life women. The SBA List is a network of more than 365,000 pro-life Americans nationwide.
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The SBA Pro-Life America National Pro-life Scorecard is a tool that helps hold members of Congress accountable for their legislative records on life and that highlights leadership in the fight to serve women and save babies.
See Their Rating
