By John-Henry Westen

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - "I believe it is the most basic duty of Government to guard the innocent. With that in mind, I will veto any legislation that weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, or that encourages the destruction of human life at any stage." So said President Bush yesterday in identical letters sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nv.).

In his letters, the President wrote, "I am concerned that this year the Congress may consider legislation that could substantially change Federal policies and laws on abortion, and allow taxpayer dollars to be used for the destruction of human life. I am writing to make sure that there is no misunderstanding of my views on these important issues." (See a copy of the President's letter to Nancy Pelosi here:
http://lifesite.net/ldn/2007_docs/BushToPelosionProLifeVetoes.pdf

With the veto promise, pro-life Congressman are assured that no anti-life legislation will pass while the President is in office. 155 members of the House of Representatives and 34 members of the U.S. Senate, more than enough to sustain a Presidential veto, have already sent the President letters (dated March 30 and February 1, respectively), urging the President to veto bills that weaken existing pro-life policies, and indicating that they will vote to sustain such vetoes.

Pro-life groups are praising the President's move. Douglas Johnson, legislative director for National Right to Life, commented, "We appreciate that the President is drawing a bright line -- he will veto any appropriations bill, or any other bill, that would weaken the existing laws against federal funding of abortion or weaken other pro-life policies."

The President's letter comes as congressional appropriations committees are about to begin moving forward with funding bills for the fiscal year that begins October 1. Many important pro-life policies are kept in place by provisions of such appropriations bills, sometimes called "riders," including the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding for abortion (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest).

Pro-abortion advocacy groups have been pressuring the new Democratic congressional leadership to attack these pro-life riders.

"Our Nation was founded on the belief that every human being has rights, dignity, and matchless value," wrote Bush. "Every child should be welcomed into life and protected in law."



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