This essay examines the abortion debate through the lens of Representative Nancy Pelosi's public support for Roe v. Wade and contrasts her position with the author's personal pro-life viewpoint. The paper briefly outlines the constitutional foundations of Roe v. Wade, including its reliance on the 9th and 14th Amendments and the Court's ruling that a fetus does not qualify as a person under the law. It then presents Pelosi's stated commitment to reproductive rights and responds with a personal argument emphasizing the moral weight of potential life, advances in reproductive technology, and the responsibilities accompanying human reproduction.
This essay examines a political policy of interest by summarizing that policy and contrasting it with a personal position. For this purpose, I have chosen Representative Nancy Pelosi of California and her stance on the legality of abortion. Before presenting that contrast, I will provide background information about this policy and how it affects the citizens of our country.
Roe v. Wade was the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal and established that women have a constitutional right to this practice. The decision was based on protecting the personal privacy of the pregnant woman, drawing authority from the 9th and 14th Amendments of the Constitution. The Court deemed that a fetus is not a person but merely a potential for life, and therefore disqualified that organism from holding any rights of its own. There is some leeway within this ruling, however, granting greater potential rights to the developing life as the mother's pregnancy progresses.
Representative Nancy Pelosi, the prominent Democratic congresswoman from California, fully supports Roe v. Wade and the pro-choice principles that surround the debate on this issue. Her official website posted a statement commemorating the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which read:
"On Saturday, as we commemorate the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting a woman's right to make her own reproductive health care decisions. As I have throughout my time in Congress, I will fight in the 112th Congress to ensure a woman's right to choose and oppose threats to Roe v. Wade that would depart from the status quo of no taxpayer funding for abortions, and threaten women's reproductive rights."
The abortion debate is not easy to discuss, given the heightened emotions with which it has always been addressed. There appears to be a fervent atmosphere surrounding this issue, and those emotions tend to obstruct meaningful intellectual discussion that could lead to reasonable consensus and move the country forward. Abortion is also commonly framed as a women's issue, and being a woman myself makes me feel more personally connected to it than I might otherwise.
I disagree with Representative Pelosi and her support of abortion rights. As a mother, I find it emotionally difficult to accept that some women would choose to end a potential life. Life deserves more respect than what Pelosi's argument affords it. The Court's assumption about when life begins strikes me as shortsighted and insufficiently considered.
"Author's pro-life rebuttal and moral reasoning"
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Webpage (2011). "Pelosi Statement on 38th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade." 21 Jan 2011. Retrieved from
"Roe v. Wade Case Brief Summary." Lawnix. Viewed 21 April 2013. Retrieved from
You’re 65% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 1 section.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.