Tom Tancredo's Stance on Abortion: Unapologetically Pro-Life

Representative Tom Tancredo from Colorado has been in the House of Representatives since 1999. Though best known for his strict stand on immigration reform, his opinion on abortion is just as strong.

Tancredo has stated that abortion "attacks the most vulnerable among us: unborn boys and girls." He would not grant federal funds to "any organization that promotes abortion."

During the May 3, 2007, GOP debate when asked his stance on reproductive rights,Tancredo stated, "The reproductive choice part of that [question], if I heard you correctly, is a reference to abortion. The right to kill another person is not a right that I would agree with and support." () When asked if he would support a reversal of Roe v. Wade, he responded, "After 40 million dead because we have aborted them in this country, I would say that that would be the greatest day in this country's history when that [Roe v. Wade], in fact, is overturned."

Tancredo voted in favor of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. The Act was challenged in federal court. On April 17, 2007, the United States Supreme Court affirmed the Act. Tancredo had this reaction: "Today the Supreme Court put an end to this barbaric practice of infanticide." He also stated in response to the decision: "One can only hope this is the first step towards ending the tragedy of abortions."

His opinion of Roe v. Wade can best be summarized by an additional reaction to the United States Supreme Court decision on the Partial-Birth Abortion Act. "I am pleased the Court has finally begun to address the moral and intellectual travesty of Roe vs. Wade," he said.

Many organizations give "grades" to members of Congress based on voting records. The National Right to Life Committee and NARAL (also known as the National Abortion Rights Action League) are two such groups. Tancredo achieved a score of 100% from the National Right to Life Committee for the 106th, 107th, 109th and the ongoing 110th Congress. The NARAL gave him a 0% score for the same sessions of Congress.

Tancredo's voting record on sub-issues of abortion also indicate a conservative, strong pro-life position. Examples include: Voted against allowing human embryonic stem cell research May 2005. Voted in favor of restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions in April 2005. Voted in favor of making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime in February 2004. Voted in favor of forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research in February 2003. Voted in favor of funding for health providers who don't provide abortion information in September 2002. Voted in favor of banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad May 2001.

Though historically a pro-life candidate such as tom Tancredo would receive the nomination, this presidential season most candidates are more moderate on abortion than Tancredo, and one, Rudy Giuliani, is publically pro-choice. Therefore, voters who wish to support a pro-life candidate will need to look closely at the candidate's statements and voting record.

Sources: www.foxnews.com; www.msnbc.com