The following is a letter to my United States Senator in Pennsylvania, Democrat John Fetterman. I work as a client services manager at a pregnancy center in central Pennsylvania. Fetterman has made national headlines for his “controversial” lean toward the center and his willingness to walk across the aisle and work with conservatives. I wonder what he might do if the pro-life community reached out a hand. Would he come over and visit? Would he seek to understand how a pregnancy center works?
Dear Senator Fetterman,
Thank you, Senator, for your non-partisan responses to major issues in our country over the past year. As a Pennsylvanian and a registered Independent, I am pleased to have a senator who is willing to look out for the interests of the people and not play politics.
You said a year ago that you were not willing to leave your party but, “I just happen to have reasonable views and I don't know why that's controversial.”
You have stood for Israel when your party has not, saying the Democrat party betrays Israel.
Following the death of Christian and political activist Charlie Kirk, you declared that the Left needed to stand down from criticizing the Right, including Trump.
Over and over again, you have proven you can take the criticism of the media and those in the Democrat party to find common ground on these issues and look for the betterment of society.
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Senator, I just have a plea.
You are openly pro-choice and state that one of the views that makes you a Democrat is that of abortion and “women’s rights.”
As a pregnancy center worker, I cannot make anyone change his or her mind regarding abortion. I can only present information and let the individual decide on his or her own.
Therefore, I am wondering if you would consider learning more about what a pregnancy center does for women and their families.
Here in Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro is not exactly our advocate.
Two years ago, early in his term, the governor chose to take away funding from pregnancy centers affiliated with Real Alternatives, a non-profit, charitable organization that administers pregnancy and parenting support services. Shapiro made a “vow” to support women’s rights to choose, stating that because Real Alternatives does not refer for abortions, they do not deserve state funds.
But he and the Democrats in Pennsylvania didn’t stop there.
Democrat Attorney General Michelle Henry claimed pregnancy centers were not providing accurate information, nor were they capable of providing medical care to clients such as pregnancy tests and ultrasounds for confirmation of pregnancy. This was the justification for an online form for anonymous individuals to report centers to her office for investigation. This was all proven to be based upon unfounded claims on Henry’s behalf, with the “investigations” few and far between. New Attorney General and Republican David Sunday defeated Henry in 2024, and in turn, removed the form from the attorney general website.
Governor Shapiro announced this past spring he had a “pilot” program in place to begin state-funded pregnancy centers, centers that would mimic existing centers in the state and across the station - with the exception of referring for abortions.
Shapiro’s efforts may seem like a helpful tool for women, but his underlying intention is to demolish pregnancy centers in the state that do not follow the pro-choice agenda.
I ask you, Senator, how does a pregnancy center like the newly opened Pregnancy Resource Center in Lock Haven, Pa., located near Shapiro’s “pilot” center, provide harm to anyone?
Tweet This: How does a pregnancy center like Pregnancy Resource Center in Lock Haven, Pa. located near Shapiro’s “pilot” center provide harm to anyone?
Pregnancy centers offer not only the medical care of pregnancy tests, ultrasounds for confirmation of pregnancy, and STD testing by licensed medical providers. They offer classes to help moms prepare for pregnancy and parenting. They offer supplies for the baby such as diapers, clothing, cribs, car seats and much more. They are a resource for those who are unsure if they want to terminate the pregnancy or parent. The clients are met with individuals who do not push these women into decisions but provide information about the abortion pill and abortion procedures that are meant for their safety. Pregnancy centers like these do not refer for abortions, but they offer post-abortive support for those who struggle with the trauma of a previous termination.
Because of the attacks on the pregnancy centers in Pennsylvania, an organization was formed to push-back on the agendas designed to destroy them. The Pennsylvania Pregnancy Wellness Collaborative was formed in 2023 after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Centers across the United States, including Pennsylvania, faced backlash from protestors and vandals, disrupting the care taking place in these locations.
The Pennsylvania Pregnancy Wellness Collaborative has extended invitations to lawmakers on the Right and Left to visit their centers and receive tours. This invitation was extended to Shapiro, with no response.
Would you, Senator, be willing to sit down with pregnancy center staff in the state? Would you, a non-partisan thinker and leader, be willing to take a look at the concerns of pregnancy centers despite your own pro-choice views?
Those of us working in this setting do not wish to form enemies with government leaders. Those involved with Pennsylvania Pregnancy Wellness Collaborative have held press conferences at our state capital in Harrisburg, ready to have conversations with leaders on both sides of the aisle. I feel confident that many pregnancy center workers – whether affiliated with Pennsylvania Pregnancy Wellness Collaborative directly or not – would be willing to have those conversations at the federal level as well.
I am pleading with you, Senator, to have a conversation. Let’s break down the walls that divide us on the issue of abortion and pregnancy help.
Sincerely,
A pregnancy center worker
