Issue Position: Life

Issue Position

My Agenda:

- Defend the sanctity of life

- Save the unborn

- Uphold the right to life our nation was founded upon

- Support stem cell research that does not eradicate human life

Defending the Sanctity of Life

My initial entry into politics came as a member of a right to life organization in my home county of Lenawee, Michigan, and I am proud to say that during my 16 years in the Michigan House of Representatives, I established a 100% pro-life voting record. During my time in the U.S. House, I will serve with the same ardent commitment to defending the sanctity of life.

Right to Life

This year is the thirty-fifth anniversary of a tragic Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion. Though we mourn for lives that could have been, today we see significant progress in the fight to defend human life. A bi-partisan majority in the Michigan Senate recently voted to ban partial-birth abortion. Abortions have declined by nearly 20 percent in the past 15 years and every year Americans are becoming increasingly pro-life. I, along with millions of Americans, remain committed to saving the unborn and upholding the right to life our nation was founded upon.

Promoting Adult Stem Cell Research

Another important life issue is stem cell research. I wholeheartedly support stem cell research in all cases except one -- any form of research that requires the eradication of a human life.

The legislation this Congress has now considered on multiple occasions not only destroys human life and could ultimately lead to human cloning, but also is antiquated. Embryonic stem cell research has seen consistently disappointing and fruitless results, while nearly every month more studies come out showing that ethical adult stem cell research continues to flourish.

In truth, the debate about embryonic stem cell research isn't really even about the science of stem cell research, but rather how such research will be financed. Taxpayers should not be expected to fund this research, especially when it continues to be legal in the private sector, though unsuccessful to date.

My wife and I were heartened to recently learn about developments in stem cells derived from amniotic fluid and placentas, as well as reprogrammed skin cells. It's time for Congress to catch up with the remarkable, and ethical, developments taking place in the scientific community.

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