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President Bush Supports Contraception for "Responsible Adults"

After a one-year delay, the Bush Administration finally responded to Representative Carolyn Maloney's question as to whether the president supports birth control. The carefully crafted reply says that the Administration supports products and services for "responsible adults" who wish to prevent or delay conception. The letter from the president goes on to say that the abstinence should be taught to young people as the only 100 percent way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.  Read the entire letter here.

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice is pleased that the president finally shared with the American people his position on contraception. Family planning has long been embraced by mainstream religions as a moral good, a responsible choice, and a basic human right.

While we agree with President Bush that abstinence is best for most teens, some are sexually active. RCRC believes that they must be taught life-saving information about preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

RCRC hopes that the president's support for contraception will lead to increased funding for programs such as the Title X Family Planning program, which provides contraception to low-income women. Increased access to and education about contraception could dramatically lower the rate of unintended pregnancy and abortion in this country, a goal that all people, politicians, and interest groups should have in common.

In order to support that goal, RCRC asks you to use our use our online letter to send a message to your senators and representative urging them to add their names as consponsors of the Prevention First Act. This legislation will prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion. If you haven't already done so, write to your members of Congress today!