SBA List spends $1.6 million in key pro-life Democrat districts

Contact: Mallory Quigley, Susan B. Anthony List, 703-380-6674, mquigley@sba-list.org

WASHINGTON, March 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today the Susan B. Anthony List, in response to news reports that members of the pro-life Democratic coalition are wavering on the healthcare bill, pledged to launch aggressive grassroots action targeting any member of the group who caves on abortion funding.  Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of Susan B. Anthony List whose Washington Post Sunday Outlook op-ed detailed the power of the pro-life movement to make or defeat candidates, assured that pro-life Democrats will face strong opposition from the organization in November if they turn their back on their constituents who strongly oppose federal funding of abortion:

"This healthcare bill challenges the principled resolve of all Members of Congress, especially pro-life Democrats who face enormous political pressure.  A vote for the bill in its current form is a vote for abortion and against life--there is no middle ground.  Any member, including members of the Stupak coalition, who votes for this bill can no longer be called 'pro-life.'  Those who have until now used such a label but would vote for a bill which includes federal funding of abortion, as the current bill does, commit the ultimate betrayal, and we will make sure every voter knows exactly what choice they made."

Polling conducted in the past two weeks in 19 key Democratic districts by the polling companyTM, inc./WomanTrend found that, in virtually every district, at least two-thirds of voters opposed "using tax dollars to pay for abortions" and would reject a candidate who "votes for healthcare legislation that includes federal government funding of abortion."  The Susan B. Anthony List, who commissioned the polling, is spending over $500,000 in a two week campaign of mobilization efforts in the congressional districts polled.  Already radio advertisements and patch-through constituent calls have been launched in 16 pro-life  Democrat districts.

Prior to the current campaign, the SBA List has spent more than $1 million in a pro-life grassroots campaign.  Through the SBA List, activists have sent over 1.2 millions letters and petitions to Congress opposing tax-payer funding of abortion in health care.  In addition, the organization has conducted 1.3 million automated calls, 60,000 patch-through constituent calls, targeted television and radio advertisements, and two regional media tours in pro-life Democratic districts.

"For pro-life Democrats who stand firm, this grassroots activity should be wind in their sails.  We look forward to going back to their constituents and praising their pro-life leadership. 

"But let pro-life Democrats who want to relieve themselves of responsibility for a pro-abortion vote be forewarned: the Susan B. Anthony List will bring all resources at our disposal to call out any member who would betray their constituents and unborn children and vote for this bill," said Mrs. Dannenfelser.

In an interview last week, Rep. Bark Stupak (D-MI) said:  "I'm telling the others to hold firm, and we'll meet next week, but I'm disappointed in my colleagues who said they'd be with us and now they're not. It's almost like some right-to-life members don't want to be bothered. They just want this over."

"We encourage these pro-life Democrats to hold firm," said Mrs. Dannenfelser, "or they will face consequences in November."

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.