Giuliani Proposes New Policies To Ease Adoptions, Reduce Abortions

In Fort Dodge, Iowa, on Monday (8/6), Rudy Giuliani expanded on his commitment to increase adoptions and decrease abortions. 

These proposals mirror accomplishments Giuliani achieved as Mayor of New York, as pointed out in an earlier blog entry —

Under Mayor Giuliani’s administration, New York City abortions plummeted by 16%, even steeper than the 12% nation-wide decline during the same period.  Rudy did this via a three-pronged approach: Doing nothing to promote abortions, aggressively promoting abortion-alternatives like adoptions (the increase in adoptions that occurred during Rudy’s tenure was 133% higher than the increase that occurred in the previous eight years), and by fostering a culture of respect for human life, personal responsibility, and family values.

It can be said that these proposals represent the most proactive and pragmatic pro-life position ever taken by a candidate for president. Rudy deserves kudos from the pro-life community for proposing a practical alternative to abortion.

 

The following is the text of the press release of the comments, followed by more detail supplied by the campaign, found here.

Rudy Giuliani Commits to Increasing Adoptions and Decreasing Abortions

Fort Dodge, IA – In remarks today at an adoption center in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Mayor Rudy Giuliani will speak about his commitment to increasing adoptions and decreasing abortions, part of his 12 Commitments to the American People.

As President, Mayor Giuliani will be an advocate for children by promoting adoption as a responsible and rewarding choice. He proposes simplifying the adoption process, enhancing tax incentives to encourage adoption, and partnering with faith-based organizations that promote adoption.

The Mayor also commits to reducing abortions by encouraging informed decisions. He will also oppose any attempt to change restrictions on federal funding for abortion.

“Protecting children is a fundamental responsibility of good government, and it is a commitment I have carried forward throughout my career in public service,” Mayor Giuliani has said. “My administration will streamline the adoption process by removing the heartbreaking bureaucratic delays that burden the current process. By working together to promote personal responsibility and a culture of life, Americans can limit abortions and increase adoptions.”

Increasing adoptions, decreasing abortions and protecting the quality of life for America’s Children is one of Rudy’s Twelve Commitments to the American People, his bold vision aimed at moving America forward. He will continue to travel the country this summer detailing the remaining Commitments.

INCREASE ADOPTIONS TO PROTECT AMERICAN CHILDREN

Promote Adoption As A Responsible And Rewarding Choice: Rudy is committed to promoting an innovative national effort to communicate the rewards of adoption to potential parents and make government more supportive of adoptive families. 115,000 of the 514,000 children in foster care in America are eligible for adoption, yet there are more than 500 married couples and three houses of worship for every eligible foster child.

Simplify The Adoption Process: Rudy will streamline the adoption process that is unnecessarily hindered by unreliable court schedules, overburdened child protection workers and failures to follow regulations designed to speed up and simplify the process.

Give States Control Of Child Welfare Spending: Rudy proposes allowing all states the option to participate in a flexible funding system that allows federal dollars from the child welfare fund to be spent most effectively to best serve children and families. Allowing states more control will increase efficiency, reduce paperwork and free front-line child advocates to focus on the needs of children.

Build Partnerships With Faith-Based Organizations: Rudy will help focus the work of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, directing the program to promote organizations uniquely prepared to provide the necessary assistance to women who choose adoption.

Enhance Tax Incentives: The $10,000 adoption tax credit should be made permanent, allowing adoption advocates to focus on children.

 

REDUCE ABORTIONS TO PROMOTE A CULTURE OF LIFE

Promote A Culture Of Life: Adoption is a compassionate alternative for women facing the decision of having an abortion, and as a society, we can help foster a culture of life by providing additional options. The measures that have reduced abortions since their peak in the late 1980s must be maintained.

Encourage Informed Decisions: Rudy is committed to ensuring that women have access to complete and up-to-date information on the adoption process.

Improve Federal Abortion Data: Current federal data collection is incomplete and slowly released. States and localities should be encouraged to submit timely, thorough and reliable data to allow us to track progress toward decreasing abortion.

Maintain The Hyde Amendment: Rudy will oppose any attempt to change restrictions on federal funding for abortion. He believes the Hyde Amendment must not be removed by Congress.