Congresswoman Melissa Hart's recent comments regarding the FDA's decision to grant over-the-counter status to the emergency contraceptive Plan B are nothing more than her attempt to continue pandering to the Religous Right with no respect for truth, reason or logic.

In her comments, Congresswoman Hart states that Plan B's easier availability will lead to more abortions. This statement could not be more false and, in fact, increasing usage of Plan B will lead to less unwanted pregnancies and therefore less abortions. Evidence shows that Plan B can prevent ovulation, alter sperm/ovum migration, and prevent implantation by altering the hormonal environment of the reproductive tract. Abortion is defined as the termination of an existing pregnancy. Plan B does not allow a pregnancy to form through pharmacological means, much like a latex condom does not allow a pregnancy to form through physical means. It is a form of contraceptive, not an abortifacient like RU-486 (mifepristone). Congresswoman Hart knows this and her equivocation on the definition of abortion can only be interpreted as a provocation to awake the strong emotions of those that oppose abortion rights for her calculated political advantage.

Congresswoman Hart also raises the question of the safety of Plan B. This is also another attempt by her to ignore facts and appeal to people's ignorance. Plan B is simply an oral contraceptive (levonorgestrol) given after intercourse. Its safety profile is identical to common birth control pills . Again, Congresswoman Hart knows this and can only be stating this to rouse the public to blindly follow her pronouncements.

The Bush administration's decision to allow Plan B to have over-the-counter status is a correct decision and should be hailed for allowing science and reason, not political calculation, to prevail. It is a victory for the right of people to do with their own body as they wish. Congresswoman Hart's actions, on the other hand, are almost all political calculation with no semblence of reason left. While her ascent to Washington once held the promise of innovative new ideas, she has now placed political advancement and sound bites at the top of her agenda. Although I have supported her in prior elections I can not do so any longer. Unfortunately the Democratic Party has also nominated an anti-choice candidate, Jason Altmire, overlooking the excellent prospect of Georgia Berner. My only hope is that a re-election loss for Congresswoman Hart will allow another Republican, not inclined to pander to the Religious Right, to re-claim the seat in 2008.