Contact: Kerry Brown, Susan B. Anthony List, 703-470-1926

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today, the Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) called for the appointment of Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser offered the following statement:

"Appointment of Congressman Joe Pitts (R-PA), champion in the fight against abortion in health care, to Chairman of Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health is a must-send message from GOP House leadership to pro-life America. It is deeply troubling to the entire pro-life movement that the Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over life and death policies affecting unborn children, would have a mixed voting record on abortion. The powerful Energy and Commerce Committee is the gateway for almost every pro-life protection America has consistently affirmed in polls and elections. It is critical that the Energy and Commerce committee reflect the values of the pro-life American majority that sent a freshman class to Congress with marching orders to end all federal funding of abortion. All its members, including new appointments, should embrace these pro-life values. Given Congressman Fred Upton's record, Congressman Joe Pitts' appointment as Chairman of the Health Subcommittee - the critical subcommittee for abortion policy - is a non-negotiable."