Sen. Kennedy Joins Sen. Brownback on Pro-Life Legislation

(Hat tip: Regular Guy Paul)

Give Teddy his due on this one:

U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), a longtime pro-lifer leader, has proposed a $5 million bill aimed at reducing the number of abortions tied to genetic disorders.

Sen. Brownback has found a cosponsor for the legislation that would shock most pro-life activists: U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), a fervent pro-abortion supporter. The bill would create a national registry of families willing to adopt children with pre- or post-natal diagnosed conditions, such as Down syndrome. Furthermore, families that receive a diagnosis of Down syndrome or any other genetic condition would be referred to support services that would give information on how to cope.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, chaired by Sen. Kennedy, voted unanimously on Feb. 27 to pass the bill and it now is headed to the full Senate. Similar legislation has been filed in the House.

Sen. Brownback says that 90 percent of pregnancies are aborted when a genetic test shows that the preborn child will develop into a child with Down syndrome, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis or dwarfism. "I'd like to see [that number] come way down," Brownback said. "I think these children are beautiful and sacred children, and they should be allowed the chance to live."