DENVER, Aug. 15, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – While Republican candidate Mitt Romney was the only leading mainstream candidate to miss all three presidential debates hosted by Personhood USA earlier this year, his decision to keep the personhood movement at arm’s length is not shared by his running mate.
Romney’s choice for VP, Paul Ryan, is currently one of the 64 co-sponsors of the pro-personhood H.R. 212, known as the Sanctity of Human Life Act. He also co-sponsored the 2009 Sanctity of Human Life Act, H.R. 227.
The Sanctity of Human Life Act states that under “Congress’ power under section 5 of the 14th article of amendment to the Constitution of the United State ... the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being, and is the paramount and most fundamental right of a person” and that “the life of each human being begins with fertilization.”
“In supporting Personhood, Congressman Ryan has taken a consistent pro-life position, one that is called for by the Republican party’s own platform” remarked Gualberto Garcia Jones, J.D., Legal Analyst for Personhood USA.
The Republican party’s platform states that “we support a human life amendment to the Constitution, and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children.”
“Far from being extreme, Congressman Ryan has picked up the mantle of President Ronald Reagan in his support for a congressional declaration of personhood,” commented Jones. “We are hopeful that as Ronald Reagan did before him, Congressman Ryan will use his position of influence to advocate uncompromisingly for the dignity and full legal personhood of the preborn.”
On January 14, 1988 President Ronald Reagan called for a National Sanctity of Human Life Day, stating that the “personhood of the unborn be declared and defended throughout our land. In legislation introduced at my request in the First Session of the 100th Congress, I have asked the Legislative branch to declare the ‘humanity of the unborn child and the compelling interest of the several states to protect the life of each person before birth.’ This duty to declare on so fundamental a matter falls to the Executive as well. By this Proclamation I hereby do so.”
In addition to missing Personhood USA’s debates, Romney has also declined to sign their personhood pledge.