Democrats For Life of America

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Who We Are
We are the preeminent national organization for pro-life Democrats.  We are the pro-life voice and wing of the Democratic Party. 
 
We are:  
Pro-life: We believe in the fundamental worth, dignity, and equality of all people.  We believe that the protection of human life is the foundation of human rights, authentic freedom, and good government.  These beliefs animate our opposition to abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, embryonic stem cell research, poverty, genocide, and all other injustices that directly and indirectly threaten human life. 
      
Democrats: We believe in the core values and principles of the Democratic Party.  We are committed to freedom and justice, security and prosperity, equality and community, and hope and progress.  We are proud to be members of the party that created the New Deal, Fair Deal, and New Frontier.  We share the party’s commitment to the Four Freedoms: freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from fear and want.  We look to continue and perfect the party’s commitment to the most vulnerable members of our society. 
 
Pro-life Democrats: We believe in the legal protection of unborn life and a comprehensive, bipartisan approach to reducing the number of abortions in America and around the world.  We believe in supporting women and children, strengthening families and communities, and protecting the environment.  We favor eliminating unfair discrimination, improving education, and preserving the American dream for all Americans.  We believe in the elimination of the death penalty, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research.
 
We believe in honest, efficient government that compliments the market and civil society to build a strong economy that benefits all Americans.  We believe this can be achieved through consistent growth, sensible regulation, fair taxation, and adequate wages, along with efforts to ensure the equality of opportunity, a reduction in poverty, and the existence of an effective social safety net that guarantees that all people have sufficient access to food, shelter, healthcare, and life’s other basic necessities.
 
Globally, we oppose tyranny, terrorism, genocide, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, human trafficking, and all other unjust acts of violence and aggression.  We support international cooperation, the spread of democracy and human rights, and the empowerment of women.  
   
 In representing pro-life Democrats within the true “big tent” party, DFLA works across a broad spectrum of life ethics. We recognize that people of good faith have different approaches to these issues; therefore, we refuse to use a single issue as a “litmus test” to exclude those who would otherwise seek common ground with us on the expansion of human rights.  We encourage all people committed to the common good to work together to protect human life at all of its stages.
 
 
What We Do
 
 We mobilize Democrats at local, state, and national levels to:
 -elect pro-life Democrats to office
 -support pro-life Democrats while in an elected position
 -promote a pro-life plank in the Democratic Party platform
 -achieve pro-life legislation with the help of national and state pro-life Democrats
 -participate actively in Democratic party functions and offices



Click here to download our brochure in PDF format.
 

 

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Latest News

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION REITERATES THAT NO FEDERAL FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR ABORTION

Contrary to Claims by Republican-controlled Groups, High Risk Pools Will Not Pay for Abortion . . .

July 15, 2010 - Following the announcement that Pennsylvania will receive $160 million to ensure that people with pre-existing conditions are able to get health insurance under the new health care law, the National Right to Life Committee and others accused President Obama of allowing public funds to be used for abortion.  The Administration quickly responded to inquiries from Democrats for Life of America and pro-life Democratic Congressional leaders to make clear that this will not be the case.

HHS Spokeswoman Jenny Backus stated, " As is the case with FEHB plans currently, and with the Affordable Care Act and the President's related Executive Order more generally, in Pennsylvania and in all other states abortions will not be covered in the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) except in the cases of rape or incest, or where the life of the woman would be endangered.

Our policy is the same for both state and federally-run PCIP programs. We will reiterate this policy in guidance to those running the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan at both the state and federal levels. The contracts to operate the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan include a requirement to follow all federal laws and guidance."

The State of Pennsylvania is one of the first states to be awarded funds to set up a high-risk insurance pool.  The pool will ensure that individuals with pre-existing conditions or other conditions that preclude them from accessing health insurance and lifesaving care are able to get covered.

Pennsylvania has one of the most restrictive policies on abortion funding and has been a leader on providing support for pregnant women through their Real Alternatives program. 

Under current law, state-funded health plans may not pay for abortions beyond Hyde restrictions (those other than cases of rape, incest or a threat to the life of the mother).  Any organization receiving state funds may not provide or refer for abortion.  Additionally, neither state nor federal funds can used for abortion and public facilities may not provide abortion services unless they meet the Hyde restrictions. 

DFLA appreciates the leadership of our pro-life Democrats in Congress who are able to work closely with the Administration to ensure that no public funds will be used for abortion and that the intent of the Executive Order will be adhered to. While Republicans continue to mischaracterize aspects of the health reform bill, we will work to ensure the law provides affordable and accessible health care for millions of Americans while upholding the longstanding ban on public funding of abortion.

 
Heretics or Converts: Democrats Better Decide
Mark Shields offers this important column on the future of the Democratic party.  Shields says, "What follows is a fail-safe test on whether membership in a political party is growing or shrinking: Is that party spending time, energy and effort courting and welcoming converts, or is the party hunting down heretics within its ranks to banish them for lack of purity?"
 
Rage against Rep. Stupak is misdirected

Eva Ritchey, President of North Carolina Pro-Life Democrats, defends Bart Stupak and other pro-life Democrats in this article from the Ashville Citizen-Times.