The Political Case for Federal Abortion Limits
In today’s Wall Street Journal, SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser explains why and how pro-life Republicans must go on offense on the life issue to win in November. Senator Lindsey Graham’s bill to protect babies after 15 weeks is key to a winning strategy – a political gift that Republicans should use to their full advantage:
“When Republicans are silent on abortion, their opponents and the media fill the gaps, often with blatant misinformation. This consensus legislation flips the script, and not a moment too soon…”
Chuck Donovan, president of our Charlotte Lozier Institute and a pro-life activist since even before Roe v. Wade, makes a similar point in The Federalist, reminding readers:
“President after president, platform after platform, and speech after speech have shown Republicans endorsing federal legislation or constitutional action to protect the unborn child’s right to life.
“The Supreme Court did not make this determination in Dobbs, of course. But at the same time…it made clear that the issue belonged to the legislative branches, representatives of the people in general, at both the federal and state levels. That is where the issue resided, with states indeed taking the lead before Roe v. Wade upended the constitutional order and nationalized the issue.”
Key Races & Debates
In Arizona’s U.S. Senate debate Thursday night, pro-life candidate Blake Masters took up the gauntlet – calling out incumbent Democrat Mark Kelly for co-sponsoring the deceptively named “Women’s Health Protection Act,” legislation that would wipe out existing protective laws and force all 50 states to allow abortion without limits right up to birth:
Kelly was evasive on the question of what limits – if any – he would support, but his record speaks volumes. This session Kelly has voted twice for the radical WHPA, better described as the “Abortion on Demand Until Birth Act.” Masters is absolutely right: this bill is unpopular. 56% of Arizona voters prefer a 15-week limit while just 27% say they prefer no limits.
That is reflected in what the SBA Pro-Life America and Women Speak Out PAC ground team in Arizona hears every day in the course of making over 600,000 visits to voters so far:
Cheryl told Santiaga: "I got pregnant in high school and went to Planned Parenthood for a pregnancy test. They told me they could 'take care' of my problem, but I chose life. I have never regretted having my son. Now I am a grandma."
Merrie identifies as pro-choice but after speaking with Allie about the science of life in the womb, she plans to vote pro-life. "I have a sonogram of my son at 4 months, & now I realize that baby looks exactly like my son. He was a full baby at that point already!"
Another candidate going on offense is Colin Schmitt in New York’s 18th Congressional District:
Schmitt’s opponent, Democrat Pat Ryan, won a special election in the 19th District this summer (because of redistricting, he is now running in the 18th). Marjorie previously wrote about the NY-19 special election after Republican candidate Marc Molinaro didn’t use the life issue to his advantage and lost:
“Running away from the issue is a proven way to lose. The GOP has gotten better at talking about abortion, but consultants continue to resist putting it up front. In the new Dobbs era, when what was theoretical is now reality, it’s even clearer the old approach doesn’t work. Pro-life candidates who want a shot at winning need to go on offense and expose their opponents as having extreme views.”
Molinaro has admitted it was a mistake not to talk about his position while Pat Ryan hammered him with attack ads. Schmitt definitely took away the right lesson.
General election debate season has only just begun. We look forward to highlighting more pro-life candidates leading by example and going on offense.