Why Do These 38 Catholic College Grads Who are Members of Congress Vote for Abortion?

National   |   Kimberly Scharfenberger   |   Apr 15, 2015   |   10:55AM   |   Washington, DC

Catholic colleges and law schools can proudly claim 66 alumni in the U.S. House of Representatives—which amounts to 15 percent of the House, about double the Catholic share of four-year colleges in the United States. But The Cardinal Newman Society has found that more than half of these Catholic college alumni—38 in total—have records on abortion that should mortify their alma maters.

Most of them are rated 100 percent by pro-abortion organizations such as the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) and Planned Parenthood. The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) has rated many of them at zero percent on important life issues.

Of the 39 total representatives with scandalous records, 27 attended Jesuit institutions. More than a quarter of them, a total of 11, attended Georgetown University.

The numbers are bleak, but political science professors from faithful Catholic colleges told the Newman Society that they are hopeful for a new generation of faithfully-educated politicians who are nurtured by proper instruction.

Ideally, a Catholic college should “refine the conscience by teaching students the truths of the faith and the contents of the natural law,” as well as “strengthen the character of students who may go into politics by having student life policies that reflect the moral teachings of the Church,” said Bracy Bersnak, a political science professor at Christendom College.

Understanding natural law is especially relevant, Bersnak explained, as it shows students “how to understand and argue about contemporary issues like abortion, marriage and religious liberty.”

Dr. Stephen Krason, professor of political science and legal studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville, encouraged a much stronger focus on faithful graduate programs, as graduate studies are frequently pursued by students seeking to enter politics. If “more seriously Catholic institutions offer graduate programs,” more faithful options will be available to those earning law or political science degrees, Krason told the Newman Society.

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Elected officials who were educated at Catholic institutions and have voted in favor of abortion rights are listed below.

Brad Ashford (Neb.) earned a juris doctor from Creighton University School of Law in 1974. Newly elected to Congress in 2014, he reportedly supports public funding of abortions and, according to Omaha.com, he backs “choice on abortion.” In January 2015, he reportedly voted against prohibiting federal funding for abortion and prohibiting abortion coverage in health insurance exchanges.

Brendan Boyle (Penn.) was educated at the University of Notre Dame. Newly elected to Congress in 2014, he has publicly stated that he is “pro-choice” and supports Roe v. Wade. In January 2015, he reportedly voted against prohibiting federal funding for abortion and prohibiting abortion coverage in health insurance exchanges.

Mike Capuano (Mass.) attended Boston College Law School and “strongly supports a woman’s right to choose,” according to On The Issues. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014 and has voted against banning partial-birth abortion.

David Cicilline (R.I.) earned a law degree at Georgetown University Law Center and identifies as “pro-choice.” According to On The Issues, Cicilline defends “full reproductive freedom” and “fiercely protect[s] a woman’s right to make health care decisions, free from government intrusion and interference.” He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Gerry Connolly (Va.) earned a bachelor of arts degree from Maryknoll College. He reportedly voted against banning federal health coverage of abortion and co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act, which claimed restrictions on abortion services to be “unlawful.” He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

John Delaney (Md.) was educated at Georgetown University Law Center and has reportedly declared a “pro-choice” stance. According to On The Issues, he supports public abortion funding and requiring churches to cover birth control and abortion insurance. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 2013 and 2014.

Rosa DeLauro (Conn.) earned a bachelor’s degree from Marymount College, now part of Fordham University. She served as the first executive director of EMILY’s List, an organization that financially aids pro-abortion women politicians in elected positions. DeLauro also co-sponsored the Freedom of Choice Act and the Women’s Health Protection Act. She has voted consistently against life issues. She had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Mark DeSaulnier (Calif.) graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., with a bachelor of arts degree in history. While in the California Senate, he garnered 100 percent ratings from Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California as well as the California Abortion and Reproductive Rights League. Newly elected to Congress in 2014, he reportedly voted in January 2015 against prohibiting federal funding for abortion and prohibiting abortion coverage in health insurance exchanges.

Deborah Dingell (Mich.) graduated from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 1975. She reportedly gained the endorsements of EMILY’s List, Planned Parenthood, and the National Organization for Women (NOW), which opposes abortion restrictions and advocates for full abortion access. Newly elected to Congress in 2014, she reportedly voted in January 2015 against prohibiting federal funding for abortion and prohibiting abortion coverage in health insurance exchanges.

Sam Farr (Calif.) graduated from Santa Clara University. He has reportedly voted against banning federal health coverage of abortion and against banning partial-birth abortions. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Lois Frankel (Fla.), a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, was endorsed by EMILY’s List. She “is a life-long supporter of women’s reproductive rights,” her 2012 House campaign website reportedly announced, and “has never wavered in her belief that a woman must have the right to make choices about her body without the involvement of government officials.” She had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 2013 and 2014.

Steny Hoyer (Md.), a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, has voted against banning federal health coverage that includes abortion and against banning partial-birth abortions, among other pro-abortion issues. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Jared Huffman (Calif.) earned a law degree from Boston College in 1990. “Jared is firmly pro-choice and has a long track record of fighting for women’s rights,” his 2012 House campaign website reportedly touted. “Jared has compiled a stellar pro-woman, pro-choice voting record—including a perfect 100% for his career voting record with Planned Parenthood, NARAL, and CalNOW.” He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 2013 and 2014.

Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) earned a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University and reportedly identifies as “pro-choice.” According to VoteSmart, he voted against banning taxpayer funding for abortion and against the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would restrict abortions on unborn children beginning at 20 weeks. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 2013 and 2014.

Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas), a graduate of St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Ind., was endorsed by EMILY’s List. She has consistently voted against life and has opposed banning partial-birth abortions and restrictions on allowing minors to procure abortions. She had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

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Bill Keating (Mass.) received a bachelor of arts degree from Boston College in 1974. He reportedly identifies as “pro-choice,” co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act, and has voted against banning abortion in federal health coverage. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Ann McLane Kuster (N.H.) graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 1984 and reportedly considers abortion a “personal and private decision.” She supports public abortion funding, requiring churches to provide birth control, and is endorsed by EMILY’s List. She had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 2013 and 2014.

Ted Lieu (Calif.), a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, has received 100 percent ratings from NARAL, Equality California (which advocates marital status for same-sex couples) and Planned Parenthood while a California legislator. “I am 100% pro-choice and honored to be endorsed by Planned Parenthood,” he reportedly stated. Newly elected to Congress in 2014, he reportedly voted in January 2015 against prohibiting federal funding for abortion and prohibiting abortion coverage in health insurance exchanges.

Zoe Lofgren (Calif.) earned a law degree from Santa Clara University of Law. Lofgren was endorsed by EMILY’s List and has voted against banning partial-birth abortion and against restricting abortion access to minors. She had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Stephen Lynch (Mass.) graduated from Boston College Law School in 1991. According to The Boston Globe, Lynch declared in 2013 that “he believes abortion is a constitutionally protected right and that as a US senator he would actively oppose antiabortion nominees to the Supreme Court.” He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 2013 and 2014.

Sean Patrick Maloney (N.Y.) attended Georgetown University. He is “a strong supporter of a woman’s right to choose,” according to VoteSmart, and “support[s] funding for Planned Parenthood.” He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 2013 and 2014.

Betty McCollum (Minn.) graduated from the College of St. Catherine in 1976 and received an endorsement from EMILY’s List. She voted against banning partial-birth abortions and co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act. She had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Gwen Moore (Wis.) is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. According to On The Issues, Moore co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act and has voted against banning federal health coverage of abortion. She had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.) graduated from Fordham University School of Law in 1978. He voted against banning partial-birth abortions and against restricting minors from procuring abortions. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Rick Nolan (Minn.), a graduate from St. John’s University, reportedly considers himself “pro-choice” and supports coercing religious groups to include birth control and abortion in their insurance coverage, according to On The Issues. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 2013 and 2014.

Bill Pascrell (N.J.) earned a bachelor’s in journalism and a master’s in philosophy from Fordham University. Pascrell “voted against eliminating funding for Planned Parenthood [and] against putting new abortion restrictions on privately funded health plans,” according to NorthJersey.com. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Minority leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) graduated from Trinity Washington University in 1962 with a bachelor of arts in political science. She went on to become an outspoken advocate for abortion and has voted against a federal ban on partial-birth abortions. She has even voted against minor restrictions on abortion, including parental consent for minors and limitations for interstate transport of minors to procure abortions. According to Breitbart, Pelosi once stated that abortion “is up to women, their conscience, their God, their doctor, their health, their fate [and] their survival.” She had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Mike Quigley (Ill.) earned a law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and called abortion “a choice for women and their families and a choice for the local elected officials of D.C.,” according to his campaign website. He co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act and voted against banning federal health coverage of abortion. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Charles Rangel (N.Y.) earned a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law. He has “co-sponsored protecting the reproductive rights of women” in the Freedom of Choice Act and reportedly supports funding for contraception and abortion. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Kathleen Rice (N.Y.), who attended the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., is“a vocal advocate for overhauling New York’s restrictive and outdated abortion laws,” according to On The Issues, and sides against “extremists bent on eliminating a woman’s right to reproductive healthcare.” According to Newsday, Rice has the approval of NARAL Pro-Choice New York and Planned Parenthood of Nassau County and stated that she “stand[s] for choice” and “for access to health care that’s unrestricted by my boss’ personal beliefs.” Newly elected to Congress in 2014, she reportedly voted in January 2015 against prohibiting federal funding for abortion and prohibiting abortion coverage in health insurance exchanges.

Bobby Scott (Va.) earned a law degree at Boston College Law School. He has voted against banning partial-birth abortions, against restrictions for minors seeking abortions, and against banning federal health coverage of abortion. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Albio Sires (N.J.) received a bachelor of arts degree from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City— now Saint Peter’s University. He has voted for contraception funding and against banning federal health coverage of abortion. According to his campaign website, Sires voted to “uphold women’s health care choices” and against the Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Adam Smith (Wash.) attended Fordham University. He voted against the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and against the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act, which would have instituted restrictions against procuring sex-selective abortions. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Chris Van Hollen (Md.) earned his juris doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1990. He voted against banning abortion in federal health coverage and against banning partial-birth abortions. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Juan Vargas (Calif.) earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of San Diego and a master’s degree in humanities from Fordham University. He has voted against bills that would defend life, including the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act and the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 2013 and 2014.

Filemon Vela, Jr. (Texas) graduated from Georgetown University in 1985. He has voted against pro-life legislation including the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act and the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 2013 and 2014.

Pete Visclosky (Ind.) earned his juris doctor from Notre Dame Law School and a master of laws at Georgetown University. He has voted against banning federal health coverage of abortion and against restrictions for minors attempting to procure abortions. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

Peter Welch (Vt.) attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., reportedly “support[s] a woman’s right to choose” and “believe[s] abortion should be safe, legal, and rare.” He has voted against banning abortion coverage in federal health insurance and co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act. He had 100 percent ratings from NARAL in 20122013 and 2014.

LifeNews Note: Originally published by Catholic Education Daily, an online publication of The Cardinal Newman Society.