House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that one of government’s functions is to help Americans achieve “fulfillment.”

Making a pitch for Congress to pass bills keeping government subsidies in student loans and to pass legislation bolstering federal support for jobs, Mrs Pelosi said there is a fundamental difference between the approach her party brings to legislating.

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“To some of us the role of government is about doing things for the American people to help them reach fulfillment,” the California Democrat said.

She said while Democrats are pushing for spending to boost jobs, Republicans this week passed a bill through committee that would restrict abortions beyond 20 weeks in a pregnancy.

“For them to decide to disrespect a judgment a woman makes about her reproductive health is reprehensible,” she said.

She got into a heated back-and-forth with reporter John McCormack from the Weekly Standard, who asked her what the difference was between aborting a 28-week-old fetus and the Philadelphia abortionist who was convicted after he killed children born alive from botched abortions.

Mrs. Pelosi said that as a practicing Catholic, she takes abortion issues very seriously and bristled at the question, chastising the questioner and saying she thought he had an agenda.

“As a mother and a practicing Catholic, this is sacred ground to me,” Mrs. Pelosi said.

Catholic women fired back at Mrs. Pelosi.

“As a mother and practicing Catholic, I have a modest proposal for Mrs. Pelosi: that she consider the church’s teaching which says each life is sacred and reject the idea that each abortion is,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List.

After Mrs. Pelosi’s press conference, reporters surrounded Mr. McCormack, who said he felt Mrs. Pelosi “mocked me” for his question. He also said he was surprised at his colleagues when reporters laughed after Mrs. Pelosi said he appeared to be “savoring” asking the question.