Ad Campaign Targets Pro-Life Members For Policies Harming The Unborn

Evangelicals Call For Protection of the Unborn Through Strong Mercury Regulations

Washington, DC – Evangelical leaders and pastors delivered letters to the House and Senate Bi-Partisan Pro-Life Committee and launched a major multi-state ad campaign criticizing pro-life members of Congress who are trying to gut EPA regulations on mercury pollution.  As part of this effort, leaders have targeted Reps. Ed Whitfield (KY-1), Fred Upton (MI-6) and Joe Barton (TX-6) because of their efforts to remove restrictions meant to prevent mercury poisoning in the unborn.

In radio ads, Rev. Tracey Bianchi describes the dangerous effects of mercury poisoning on the unborn, including permanent brain damage and developmental challenges.  “I believe that every life is a precious gift from God,” says Rev. Bianchi in the ad.  “And I expect members of Congress who are pro-life to use their power to protect life, especially the unborn.” 

The ads, sponsored by the Evangelical Environmental Network, are running a high saturation levels for a week on Christian, Country, and News/ Talk stations in Kentucky, Texas, and Michigan. 

“One in six babies born in the U.S. have harmful levels of mercury in their blood.  Pro-life members of Congress should be doing everything they can to protect the unborn from this threat.  For the life of me, I can’t understand why some are trying to block the EPA from regulating mercury levels when they know the unborn will pay the price,” says Rev. Mitch Hescox, President of the Evangelical Environmental Network.

In addition to the radio ads, a letter signed by pro-life evangelical leaders and another by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was hand delivered to members of the Congressional Pro-Life Committee.  These letters follow on a previously issued statement, An Evangelical Call to Stop the Mercury Poisoning of the Unborn, signed by over 100 evangelical pastors and leaders.  In the letters, the pastors state, “We understand mercury poisoning to be a pro-life issue . . . We are asking Congress to stop playing games with the health of America’s unborn children by supporting the EPA’s March 16, 2011 proposed regulation known as the ‘Utility MACT rule.’”

Since the 1990 passage of the Clean Air Act, the EPA has had the authority to regulate the levels of mercury released by coal-burning power plants.  Once emitted, mercury falls from the air into local water sources, becomes part of the food chain, is consumed by pregnant mothers when they eat contaminated fish, and can have devastating impacts on their unborn children.  But in recent months, members of Congress have moved to block the EPA’s ability to protect the unborn from mercury pollution. 

To listen to the Radio Ad, click here.

Text of the Radio Ad is below:

Hi, this is Rev. Trace Bianchi.

As an evangelical mom and pastor, I believe that every life is a precious gift from God.  And I expect members of Congress who say they are pro-life to use their power to protect life, especially the unborn.  I can’t understand why Congressman Ed Whitfield is fighting to stop the EPA from enforcing its plan specifically meant to protect the unborn by cleaning up dangerous mercury pollution. 

Mercury pollution can have devastating impacts on the unborn and small children, causing permanent brain damage.  And unborn children here in Kentucky are vulnerable because coal burning power plants in our region have helped to raised mercury levels in our waters to threatening levels.  

Please contact Congressman Whitfield and tell him that being pro-life means protecting the unborn from mercury pollution.  The Evangelical Environmental Network paid for this ad and encourages you to learn more at creationcare.org.