Third Way Dispatch

Stem cell research supporters are aglow about the imminent congressional (re)debate on the DeGette-Castle embryonic stem cell research bill, beginning in the House today. They think they have the votes and the rock-solid support of the country. We hope they’re right – we’re big supporters of stem cell research. But we worry that some of the messaging the advocates are using could misfire.

It is nearly time for a new year, and with it, a new Congress, with a new majority and a new opportunity on the hot-button cultural issue of our times—abortion. The Ryan-DeLauro common ground abortion bill introduced this year, which underscores the importance of reducing abortions (while leaving the right to have an abortion in tact), gets it right. Below find some of the many reasons that the Ryan-DeLauro Bill should be a priority for the new Democratic leadership.

Last night, the New Jersey Legislature voted to allow civil unions between same-sex couples. That’s a real step forward for gays and lesbians in that state, and it should be both noted and applauded.

Well, as if November wasn’t bad enough for social conservatives, December has really gotten off to a bad start. Mary Cheney is pregnant.

As they prepare to clear out of their big majority offices and into somewhat smaller digs, the conservatives who run Congress are taking one last shot on abortion. Unfortunately, they are missing the real target.

Yesterday was a historic day for progressives. Pro-life Congressman Tim Ryan and Pro-Choice Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, with many other members of Congress on both sides of this issue, introduced H.R. 6067 “The Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act.” In so doing, Democrats announced that they are making it a priority to find common ground on abortion and to reduce abortions in America.