The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has "no interest" in working with Democrats for Life of America, a pro-life Democratic organization.
This according to a DCCC spokeswoman, Meredith Kelly, speaking to the Atlantic. Kelly's comments contribute to the on-going confusion as to whether or not the Democratic party will be welcoming to pro-life candidates for office in 2018.
Kristen Day, a member of Democrats for Life, told the Atlantic that "lines of communication were open" between her group and the DCCC. But Kelly rejected Day's claim.
"The DCCC has no interest in working with Democrats for Life of America, despite their attempts," she said.
"Protecting a woman's health care, her right to choose, and her economic security are fundamental tenets of the Democratic Party, and as long as Republicans control Congress and the White House those values are constantly at risk," Kelly said in a statement.
But Kelly's statement ran up against the claim of the DCCC's Chairman, Rep. Ben Ray Luján (N.M.), who a mere ten days prior said that abortion wouldn't be a "litmus test" for candidates in 2018.
"There is not a litmus test for Democratic candidates," Luján told the Hill. "As we look at candidates across the country, you need to make sure you have candidates that fit the district, that can win in these districts across America."
Indeed, whether or not the party should be welcoming to pro-lifers is an issue that has conspicuously split Democrats since their shocking defeat in the 2016 election. In April, Chair of the Democratic National Committee Tom Perez sparked the controversy by saying every Democrat should be pro-choice.
Perez earned a quick rebuke from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.). But, as is evident from the disagreement among the top brass at the DCCC, the question of whether or not one can be pro-life and a Democrat is still far from settled.