Graded Assignment #6

For this graded assignment, I looked at two bills dealing with the issue of abortion. The one originating in the House of Representatives, entitled “Parental Notification and Intervention Act of 2009,” applied some restrictions to abortions when a minor is the one seeking the procedure. This bill states that if the person is a minor then an organization cannot provide an abortion without parental consent. They must notify the parents that their child is seeking an abortion through certified mail or in person. Parents can intervene and the court will issue an injunction. If a medical facility provides a minor with an abortion, then they will be fined or the doctor will be arrested. These principles no longer apply if the minor’s life is at risk. The bill originating in the Senate is an attempt to practically cut people’s reliance on an abortion. It focuses on providing expectant mothers with health insurance. This bill also encourages education. The Senate plans on providing better information to young mothers about birth defects and infant care. Lastly, the document will grant money to organizations that help women carry their pregnancy to term instead or aborting.

In response to my reading, I contacted my representative in the House and both of South Carolina’s Senators:
1. Congressman Barrett,
I am writing in response to reading the HR 2061 bill or "Parental Notification and Intervention Act of 2009." I whole heartedly agree with this idea! Many parents have no idea that their children are having sex, let alone planning on having an abortion. As a conservative Christian, I am against abortion for any reason. I understand, however, that a large reason for abortions across the United States is that minors are afraid to tell their parents that they are pregnant. This bill will hopefully force children and parents to talk. What is your opinion of this bill? One of my concerns is that it still provides abortion as an option. Will abortion always be an option in America or are steps being taken to inform people about this moral issue and trying to make it illegal? What can individuals like myself do to advocate the Pro-Life cause?
2. Senator DeMint and Senator Graham,
I am writing in response to the S.270 bill that is supposed to provide programs that reduce the need for an abortion. I am a conservative Christian who is completely against abortion, but I understand that not everyone looks at this as a moral issue. It is encouraging to see that you all are undermining the use of abortion in a practical way. By supplying women with health insurance even when pregnant and important information and resources, you may be saving many children's lives. Since the bill wants to provide women with institutions that give them aid and information, can Christian organization such as The Greenwood Women's Center receive federal funding? They encourage women who do not want their babies to give them up for adoption, and they help supply them with any items they need.

I was greatly encouraged by this citizenship exercise. Not only did it feel good to gain more understanding about the activities of Congress, but it was also very interesting. I had no idea that bills were posted for Americans to read and review. This made me feel more involved in the decisions that my elected representatives are making. If I disagree with a decision that is made, I can contact them and vocalize it. It will not take weeks or months to get a letter through, but because of e-mail, it can be automatically received. After perusing the bills and contacting both my Congressman and my Senators, the idea was further enforced upon me that every vote does count. When we say that our elected representatives work on bills, often Americans picture them writing lengthy documents full of complicate financial terminology. However, here were two short bills that spoke clearly about an issue very important to me: abortion. The people we elect are dealing literally with issues of life and death. Our votes must not be given lightly. Also, I saw the spectrum of issues that people in Congress must deal with, and my respect for them greatly increased, even if they do not answer my e-mail right away!