Giving Thanks for Lives Protected in the Dobbs Era
Like millions of families gathering across America this week, we at SBA Pro-Life America are counting our blessings.
From the beginning, public gratitude has played a role in the most pivotal times in American history and culture, and there’s great wisdom in that. At a precarious moment for a young nation, conscious of the need for unity, President Washington issued his 1789 proclamation “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer.” Fast forward 74 years later, and another American president at another turbulent moment would invite citizens everywhere to “fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.”
The pro-life movement took a tough hit in Ohio this month, there’s no question. But to borrow from another American hero, we have not yet begun to fight for the babies and mothers who depend on us. And all things in perspective, we have so much to give thanks for this year – starting with the victory of Dobbs (50 years in the making. And we’re so thankful), the 24 states that have pro-life protections, and you, our subscribers across the country and around the world.
Pro-Life Victories We’re Thankful for in 2023
In the Dobbs era, nearly half the country protects babies in the womb by at least 12 weeks.
Victories for Babies, Women & Girls
Florida and South Carolina established protections for babies with beating hearts.
Nebraska and North Carolina enacted laws protecting babies at 12 weeks (after the first trimester), with the NC General Assembly overriding Democrat Governor Roy Cooper’s veto.
North Dakota and Wyoming established broad protections for babies throughout pregnancy.
Kansas overrode Democrat Governor Laura Kelly’s vetoes to protect babies born alive in failed abortions and provide women information about Abortion Pill Reversal.
Wyoming now prohibits dangerous abortion pills.
Montana established born-alive protections and protections against dismemberment abortions, instituted licensing requirements on abortion centers and protected taxpayer dollars from being funneled to the abortion industry.
Utah ended licensing of abortion facilities altogether.
Idaho became the first state to prohibit abortion trafficking – protecting minor girls from being transported for an abortion with the intent of concealing it from their parents.
Pro-Life Safety Net Victories for Women & Families
North Carolina’s Care for Women, Children and Families Act allocated $160 million for child care, parental leave and community college assistance for parents.
Florida’s heartbeat protection law allocated $25 million for pregnancy resource centers.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed eight measures that increase tax credits for pregnancy centers to $10 million; improve the adoption and foster care process including financial help for adoption; create a state website of resources for pregnant moms; and more as part of a “new pro-life agenda.”
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed a bill to establish the Mothers and Babies Support Program to fund the state’s pregnancy centers, allocating $1 million for the program’s first year. The bill also increased the state’s adoption tax credit to $5,000 and ensures that adopted children are eligible for early interventions services, including Birth To Three and Right From The Start.
Wyoming extended its Medicaid program to cover moms for a year after childbirth.
The Kansas Legislature overrode Governor Kelly’s veto to provide funding for pregnancy centers.
Montana created an adoption tax credit and child tax credit for kids under the age of six.
Missouri established a childcare property tax credit.
The morning after Election Day, our president Marjorie Dannenfelser shared her perspective on how far the pro-life movement has come and the way forward:
The Dobbs victory was an enormous breakthrough, but as with every other major shift in the status quo in our nation’s history, it will take time for the laws to reflect the reality of that decision. We must persevere in working to undo the abortion industry’s 50-year political monopoly and the deeply rooted lies abortion activists have sown to legitimize taking the lives of more than 63 million babies in the womb.
While there is much work ahead, in human terms, the gains we’ve made are both real and incalculable. There is no such thing as a small one – not to each child we are blessed to protect and each mother we are fortunate to serve.
In countless ways, LIFE is still winning. From all of us at SBA Pro-Life America, have a restful and hopeful Thanksgiving.