"Our government has no greater duty than to protect the American people," Pitts said. "Americans are used to pluralism and democracy, but many parts of the world are still ruled by tyrants and driven by religious and racial hatred. I am a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. I know the price our fighting men and women are paying to defend us Freedom is not free."

Human Rights

Pitts is a staunch anti-abortion rights crusader, as well a champion of democracy abroad, especially as a member of the Congressional Executive Commission on China, which monitors human rights in the communist country.

During Pitts' first term, he launched the Values Action Team, a coalition of anti-abortion rights interest groups, and like-minded members of Congress.He also led the House Pro-Life Caucus and was a fierce opponent of President Obama's 2009 health-reform plan because he argued that there would be no"explicit exclusion" for funding abortions.

"The stakes are high and the implications are incredibly far-reaching," Pitts said at July 2009 press conference. "This legislation will mandate and subsidize abortion."

"No American should be forced to finance abortions."

In September 2009, Pitts and Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) sent a letter to then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) demanding a full House vote on banning the use of federal funds for abortions under any health-reform plan.

In September 2006, Pitts voted for the Child Interstate Abortion Act, which prohibits the transport of a pregnant minor across state lines with the intention of having an abortion. This bill passed.

In May 2005, Pitts voted against the Overseas Military Facilities Abortion Amendment, which would have overturned a ban of privately-funded abortions on foreign U.S. military bases. The amendment was rejected.

Health-Care Reform

Of the options discussed during the fall 2009 health-care debate, Pitts supported reforming the insurance industry over creating a government-run public option. He opposed establishing non-profit cooperatives and a mandate that individuals carry health coverage.

In 2009, the Republican vociferously opposed a variety of health-reform initiatives on the grounds that they represented irresponsible governmental spending. Though he's attacked both parties on the issue, he complained bitterly over President Obama's 2010 budget, saying it "contains more deficit spending than all eight of President Bush's budgets combined."

"So I think we need to really question some of the rhetoric we are hearing about fiscal responsibility about this present administration," he said. "These deficits have both immediate and long-term consequences. The long-term consequences are the debt that we are leaving to our children. In the more immediate term, they represent the eroding of our standing in the world."

Instead, Pitts has partnered with the Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) to create a bill, the Small Business CHOICE Act of 2009, which would allow small-business owners to offer affordable health care.

"This important piece of legislation allows small business to obtain coverage at negotiated bulk rates through purchasing pools," Pitts said. "This bill would help small businesses offer health insurance through a refundable tax credit of 65 percent and minimizes risks for insurance companies by letting small firms pool their employees with those of other businesses in voluntary health cooperatives."

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