Joe Pitts for Congress Blog

Polling data show that majorities as large as 71 percent do not believe the government should run or subsidize programs that perform or pay for the procedure.  That was reflected in a recent vote in the House of Representatives to bar new programs in the Democrats’ proposed health overhaul from paying for abortion.  The amendment passed with broad bipartisan support.  Every pro-choice Republican and a great many pro-choice Democrats voted for it.  One fourth of all Democrats voted “yes,” including most of the twelve Democrats from Pennsylvania. The amendment reflects the mainstream of American opinion.  It reflects the conviction of decent Americans who recognize that however much people may disagree on this issue, we should respect each other enough to not publicly fund something many of us find abhorrent.

There is, however, a small minority in America and in Congress that insists on using this legislation to fund abortion through major government health programs. Much like those on the right who have claimed the health bill sets up “death panels,” the simple facts don’t seem to matter much to them.  Politifact.com has posted three “truth-o-meter” studies debunking the claims made by left-wing members of Congress on this issue.  National Public Radio and other respected sources have done the same.   Nevertheless, the wild claims continue. One of the organizers of a Saturday rally to protest my co-sponsorship of the amendment told the Daily Local News that I oppose birth control—something that is absolutely not true.

All of this reflects the unfortunate side of American politics today.  It has become harder and harder for elected officials and activists on opposing sides of the issues to have grown-up, respectful conversations with each other.  Lincoln-Douglas debates have been replaced by the Rachel Maddow show.  After the House vote, a liberal activist from Lancaster (who intends to run against me next year) wrote on a blog: “Everybody's angry. And everybody wants to punish someone—anyone!—for this travesty!” and then asked readers to give her money.

Given the heated rhetoric, I believe it is important for everyone to remember what this debate is about.  It has nothing to do with the legality or availability of abortion.  It is purely, and only, about whether or not the government will pay for abortion in the so-called “public option” and through new “affordability credits” if the legislation now in Congress becomes law. 

Because the vast majority of Americans do not want public money spent that way, those who do want it spent that way are faced with two options.  Either accede to the will of the majority, as Speaker Pelosi has done, or use budget gimmicks to pay for abortion while claiming not to.  (Unfortunately, the new Senate bill includes exactly that kind of gimmick.)

There is a saying that “politics is the art of compromise.” That is almost always true.  It is not true here.  You simply can’t compromise on an either/or scenario.  Either we are going to use public funds to pay for abortion or we aren’t. Giving money to a government contractor who then pays for abortions isn’t a compromise.  It’s deception.  Likewise, pretending that money isn’t fungible, as Senator Reid has done, is not a compromise.  Either the government is going to pay for abortion or it isn’t, and Congress needs to be honest about what it is doing. 

Democracy relies on the honesty and the good will of elected officials and activists alike.  We should compromise when we can and let the majority rule when we can’t.  Mudslinging, dishonest “spin,” and Saul Alinsky-style tactics undermine democracy and hurt our country.  For decades, the government has not paid for abortion services and it should not start now.  That is the overwhelming will of the American people.  The House has listened to the people, and the Senate should too.

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