Republicans for Choice

Republicans for Choice, an organization based in the Washington, D.C. area (Headquarters:205 South Whiting Street, Suite 260, Alexandria, VA 22304) is a political action committee (PAC) composed of members of the United States Republican Party who support legalized abortion.

History of Republicans for Choice

Republicans for Choice was founded in 1989 by Ann Stone (conservative fundraiser and wife of prominent Republican consultant Roger Stone) [Toner, Robin. " [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3D81238F937A15757C0A966958260 G.O.P. Group Formed to Support Abortion Rights] ." "New York Times". 04-24-1990. Accessed 06-01-2008.] and just under 500 elected and appointed Republican officials from all 50 states, to counter the Republican Party's increasing focus on pro-life candidates and political platform.

Members

enate

*Susan Collins of Maine
*Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
*Olympia Snowe of Maine
*Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania
*Ted Stevens of Alaska

House

*Judy Biggert of Illinois
*Brian Bilbray of California
*Mary Bono of California
*Ginny Brown-Waite, Florida
*Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia
*Michael N. Castle of Delaware
*Rodney P. Frelinghuysen of New Jersey
*Kay Granger of Texas
*Mark Kirk of Illinois
*Shelley Moore of West Virginia
*Deborah Pryce of Ohio
*Jim Ramstad of Minnesota
*Christopher Shays of Connecticut
*Greg Walden of Oregon
*Heather Wilson of New Mexico

Mission

To ensure that the Republican Party's Statement of Principles is equally applied: The Republican Party wants " [a] n America with a smaller less burdensome government that trusts its people to decide what is best for them ... [a] n America where freedom of expression, individual conscience, and personal privacy are cherished and respected."

In addition, Republicans for Choice has suggested changes to the Republican National Platform:
*"We recognize and respect that Republicans of good faith may not agree with all the planks in the Party's Platform. This is particularly the case with regard to those planks dealing with abortion, family planning, and gay and lesbian issues. The Republican Party welcomes all people on all sides of these complex issues and encourages their active participation as we work together on those issues upon which we agree."
*"Strip the Human Life Amendment out of the abortion plank. It has been in the Platform since 1976 and even the GOP Congress won't dare vote on it. If they can't vote on it – take it out!"

Prominent Republicans who have advised the group include former U.S. Presidents Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon.

Republicans for Choice is partners with other moderate to liberal Republican groups such as The Wish List, The Republican Majority For Choice, IMP-PAC (Its My Party Too), and the Republican Main Street Partnership.

ee also

*Democrats for Life of America

References

External links

* [http://www.republicansforchoice.com Republicans for Choice PAC] - Official website
* [http://www.mypartytoo.com/ It's My Party, Too!] PAC, a group chaired by Christine Todd Whitman