Douglas Bandow on the maybe not-so-bad news from Election ’06

Nevertheless, pro-life votes were lost. However, over the long term the drop in GOP abortion opponents might be balanced by the rise in the number of pro-life Democrats. So far the number is small, but the election points to a time when scores of Democrats helped deliver a majority for the so-called Hyde Amendment, blocking public funding of abortion — in the heavily Democratic House.

Democrats for Life of America (DFLA) points to the election of six pro-life Democratic House members: Jason Altmire and Chris Carney (Pennsylvania), Joe Donnelly (Indiana), Brad Ellsworth (Indiana), Heath Shuler (North Carolina), and Charlie Wilson (Ohio).

In the main, these candidates were not shy about promoting their pro-life views. For instance, Shuler declared: I am "a pro-life Democrat and I believe that all life is sacred."

Assuming seniority holds, three committees will be chaired by pro-lifers: Jim Oberstar (Minnesota), Transportation; Collin Peterson (Minnesota), Agriculture; and Ike Skelton (Missouri), Armed Services. Others will run subcommittees.