Pro-Life Groups Applaud Selection of Pro-Life Rep. Paul Ryan

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Aug 11, 2012   |   10:17AM   |   Washington, DC

Leading pro-life groups are excited that presumptive Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has selected strongly pro-life Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate to take on pro-abortion President Barack Obama.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List told LifeNews:

By selecting Congressman Ryan as his vice presidential running mate, Governor Romney demonstrates his commitment to protecting American women and unborn children. A longtime pro-life advocate and a strong fiscal conservative, Congressman Ryan has insisted that there can be no ‘truce’ when it comes to advancing the rights of the unborn and achieving fiscal responsibility. He has a pristine pro-life voting record and will be an asset to Governor Romney’s campaign.

Pro-life voters are a key demographic and help secure victory in critical elections. The addition of a second strong pro-life leader to the ticket energizes the pro-life base – we are thrilled with this pick.

Congressman Ryan has voted consistently for pro-life legislation, including limits on late-term abortion, regulations against transporting minors across state lines for abortion and for an end to taxpayer funding of abortion, thus earning a 100 percent voting record with the National Right to Life Committee. While in the U.S. House, Rep. Ryan has co-sponsored numerous pro-life bills including the D.C. Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA), the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, and the Protect Life Act.

National Right to Life Committee President Carol Tobias also commended Romney on choosing Ryan to run with him:

We are thrilled that Paul Ryan has been selected to run with Governor Romney. Congressman Ryan has a deep, abiding respect for all human life, including unborn children and their mothers, the disabled, and the elderly. Together, they form a solid pro-life ticket that truly represents the pro-life majority in the United States.

In his previous elections for the U.S. House of Representatives, Paul Ryan has received the endorsement of both National Right to Life and its state affiliate, Wisconsin Right to Life.

Ryan has maintained a 100 percent pro-life voting record on all roll call votes scored by National Right to Life through his entire tenure in the House, which began in 1999. This includes support for the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, and most recently the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, among others.

In a February 2009, op-ed published in The Journal Times of Racine, Wis., Ryan wrote, “Personally, I believe that life begins at conception, and it is for that reason that I feel we need to protect that life as we would protect other children…I remain committed to restoring the value of human life and fighting for the rights of the unborn…Most importantly, we must ensure that the most vulnerable among us – both unborn children and mothers struggling with unplanned pregnancies – are afforded the compassion and opportunities they need to choose life.”

“The pro-life Romney-Ryan team stands in sharp contrast to the avowed pro-abortion administration of Barack Obama and Joe Biden,” Tobias added. “With the election of a Romney-Ryan ticket, America, and her children, will be in good hands.”

Americans United for Life Action President Charmaine Yoest was also elated by Paul’s selection, calling it “a bold choice of an unambiguous defender of the need for a pro-life vision for America.”

Paul Ryan has been an eloquent defender of life, articulating his view that policy and principles can work together.  America is founded on the essential belief that every person has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – translating that principle into law in statehouses across America and in the U.S. Capitol is the central mission of our political leaders. On the issue of defending life in particular, the use of the bully pulpit is crucial, and we look forward to hearing more from Congressman Ryan on the need to ensure that every person is welcomed in life and protected in law.

Paul Ryan’s record demonstrates that the Life issue is an economic issue. This election is a referendum on President Obama’s championing of a health care plan that is the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade. And AUL Action welcomes Congressman Paul Ryan’s strong stance against buttressing the abortion industry with American’s hard-earned tax dollars.

CLICK LIKE IF YOU’RE PRO-LIFE!

 

Paul Ryan’s home-state pro-life group Wisconsin Right to Life, that knows him the best, had glowing words of praise for Mitt Romney’s running mate:

“Wisconsin Right to Life sends its deepest and sincerest congratulations to Rep. Paul Ryan on being selected as Governor Romney’s running mate,” stated Barbara Lyons, Executive Director of Wisconsin Right to Life. “Ryan has been a wonderful friend to our organization and our great cause in defense of human life throughout his brilliant tenure as a public official.”

Rep. Ryan has been a featured speaker at Wisconsin Right to Life events and maintains a 100% pro-life voting record on scores of issues including prohibiting the use of tax dollars for abortion, banning partial-birth abortions, and protecting older Americans and those with disabilities from rationing of medical care.

“We look forward to continuing our friendship and collaboration with Rep. Ryan during his service as Vice-President of the United States,” continued Lyons. “His vision, principles, integrity and sincere dedication to the value of life will serve our great country in the highest manner possible.”

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released a statement praising the selection:

Mitt Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan shows that he is serious about getting America’s fiscal house in order. Paul Ryan’s voting record also suggests that he believes that social, fiscal and national security conservatism is indivisible. Paul Ryan’s philosophy clearly includes the understanding that America’s financial greatness is tied directly to its moral and cultural wholeness.

As a member of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, he has been a defender of religious expression in the public square. Paul Ryan has spoken out strongly against President Obama’s abortion drug and contraception mandates as an affront to religious liberty. He has articulately described how the President’s government takeover of health care has pushed aside our First Amendment right of religious freedom.

We look forward to hearing Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan speak at the upcoming Values Voter Summit so that the conservative grassroots will have an opportunity to hear more about their agenda on the critical issues facing our country including religious liberty, marriage, the sanctity of human life as well as fiscal responsibility and national security.

Noted pro-life and social conservative active Ralph Reed also praised Ryan as a running mate:

Mitt Romney choosing Paul Ryan as his vice presidential nominee is an inspired, outstanding selection. Paul Ryan is a rare and exceptional public servant who combines the courage of his convictions with a sharp intellect and a winsome personality. I have known him since he worked for Jack Kemp at Empower America in the early 1990′s, worked with him in passing sound budgets in the House, and am proud to count him as a friend. He is a person of devout Christian faith who has a 100 percent pro-life and pro-family voting record in his 14 years in Congress. He will excite and energize social conservatives, who will play a critical role in the outcome of the elections.

Rick Santorum, former Republican presidential candidate and Chairman of Patriot Voices:

Congressman Paul Ryan is an outstanding choice as our country’s next vice president, and today’s announcement demonstrates Governor Romney’s commitment to returning fiscal sanity back to Washington, DC.

I have long supported Paul Ryan’s fiscal and entitlement reforms to return our country back on a path of fiscal health. At a time when our country is at an economic crossroads, Congressman Ryan’s depth of knowledge on how to tackle these challenges is unparalleled. He will serve Governor Romney and our country well to undo the flawed policies of the last four years.

In addition to Congressman Ryan’s stellar fiscal conservative positions, he is indeed a full-spectrum conservative. He is solidly pro-life, pro-family, and will be an advocate for our military and our national security priorities. I look forward to supporting the Romney-Ryan ticket in the weeks to come.

Pro-life former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee weighed in with supportive comments on Twitter:

I’m excited to learn of Mitt Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan to be his V P running mate. He has a sound knowledge of our economy.

Senator Marco Rubio today made the following statement on the selection of Congressman Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney’s Vice Presidential running mate:

“Throughout his life, Mitt Romney has made great decisions, and choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate is a truly inspired choice. I got to know Paul during my Senate campaign when he endorsed me early on when I was still considered a long shot. Paul Ryan is a courageous reformer who understands our nation’s challenges, has proposed bold policy solutions to solve them, and has shown the courage to stand up to President Obama and other Washington politicians trying to tear him down.

“The Romney-Ryan ticket is going to win in November because it offers the American people visionary leadership to recapture the free enterprise spirit that has empowered countless Americans to build businesses from scratch and live the American dream. I’m excited about the visionary change a Romney-Ryan team will bring to Washington, and I look forward to campaigning with them this fall.”

Former Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann release a statement praising the addition of Romney to the ticket:

Today, Mitt Romney cemented his vision for America as the economic leader in the world. Paul Ryan’s leadership in Congress and his boldness to deal with our financial problems is exactly what Americans want to hear. More importantly, Ryan’s boldness is exactly what America needs. Since 2008, uncertainty has plagued employers, families and our economy and the Obama-Biden ticket has failed to realize the depth of the situation.

Americans know we will grow when we are strong. The Romney-Ryan Republican ticket is our Comeback Ticket to prosperity and strength. I’m proud to support these men and look forward to their success.

Austin Ruse, President, C-FAM and Cathy Ruse, Senior Fellow for Legal Studies, Family Research Council:

Governor Romney could not have chosen a better person to run with than Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. Ryan is not only 100% pro-life, he is a full spectrum conservative and thoroughly unafraid in expressing conservative and pro-life views. We cannot wait to see him debate Vice-President Biden. We note that Paul Ryan is a Catholic who takes his faith seriously and in this season of easy anti-Catholicism and attacks on religious freedom, Paul Ryan is perfectly situated to articulate and defend our First Freedom. Paul Ryan will serve our country well as our next Vice-President.