Prevention, and support for new parents, will reduce the abortion rate.

THERE ARE FEW ISSUES IN THE political realm more difficult, with greater moral complexity, than that of abortion. For some, it is a choice between protecting the life of unborn children; for others, it is about protecting women's capacity--not government's--to choose what is best for themselves and their families, regardless of social or economic circumstances. To many observers, the battle over abortion rights must seem one of competing absolutes. And unfortunately, the issue has played out that way politically, with fewer issues more contentious and divisive than abortion. You can see why some would choose not to engage or even attempt to forge consensus on such a difficult issue.

Whatever side of the issue we stand upon, it is clear that this fight has reached a breaking point. As a Catholic, as a U.S. representative and as a Democrat, I struggle every day to determine how best we can honor the dignity of every human life; for me--for all of us--it is a matter of conscience. At the same time, abortion has been a winning issue for the Republican Party, a political weapon used to drive conservatives to the polls election after election. There is some indication that may be changing; most Americans are not in favor of making it harder for women to get an abortion. But regardless of public opinion, it is clear that contentiousness over the issue of abortion is fraying our political process and keeping us from moving forward.

That is why I was so pleased to work with my colleague from Ohio, Tim Ryan, and others in developing legislation that finds true common ground on this issue. In focusing on the need to reduce abortion in our country, while also providing supports to help new parents strengthen their families, the Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act reflects real, principled consensus.

For me, the legislation grew out of an earlier effort I led with Catholic Democrats on both sides of the abortion debate, including Congressman Ryan. Together, we drafted a statement of principles released by 55 House Democrats who believed the time had come to define ourselves and speak out about our vibrant moral agenda. This bill dovetails with that statement's declaration of the need to find common ground on the goal of reducing the number of unintended pregnancies.

As such, I believe this legislation sends a message that we are serious about addressing the issue of abortion--that for all of us, this is a matter of conscience; that we all want to see fewer abortions; and that our public policy must embrace a complete ethic of human life that begins with helping women never have to come to that decision in the first place. Our bill accomplishes that. And it makes clear that people who support the right to choose do not celebrate abortion, as some have suggested. It recognizes that absent prevention, absent contraception and absent family planning, you simply cannot reduce the rate of abortion.

It starts with prevention. Among the legislation's highlights are increased funding for Title X of the Public Health Service Act, the only federal program dedicated to providing contraceptive and related reproductive health care services to low-income women. The most effective way to prevent unintended pregnancies and abortions is to improve access to safe, affordable and effective contraceptive methods, and Title X is a key part of that effort. The bill also restores the Medicaid entitlement to coverage of family planning services, repealed in the budget reconciliation bill, and provides grants to states to reduce teen pregnancy.

But we must also create an environment that encourages pregnancies to be carried to term by promoting alternatives to abortion, such as adoption, and by improving access to children's health care and to child care. Our bill would increase and expand the adoption tax credit for all children and would give states the option to expand or add coverage of pregnant women under federally funded programs. By backing child care assistance, after-school programs and nutritional support through food stamps, our approach promotes real parental responsibility once a child is born. And it does so by reducing the economic pressures that can sometimes cause a woman to decide not to carry a pregnancy to term.

Of all the important goals the bill can help us reach, perhaps the most important is moving beyond the question of the legality of abortion and toward reducing the rate of abortion. It breaks the stalemate and shows Democrats of all faiths are not only ready to take action on this issue but to lead. The time has come to offer policy solutions that promote life and support parents beyond the births of their children. In introducing this legislation, we affirm our principles as Democrats and our commitment to promoting life.

ROSA L. DELAURO represents Connecticut's Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.