March 2022 - National Right to Life
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March 2022
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall Introduces “Ultrasound Informed Consent Act” WASHINGTON — Senator making the life-or-death these states have passed the Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) decision of abortion for her revised NRLC model “Right to has introduced legislation that unborn child. This legislation Know and See” that requires an would require abortionists to would give women the vital ultrasound to be performed and make an ultrasound available information they need before displayed for the mother to see. to a woman seeking an making a life-changing Twenty-two (22) states have abortion. Senator Marshall is a decision.” passed an earlier NRLC model, medical doctor specializing in The “Ultrasound Informed “Opportunity to View,” which obstetrics. Consent Act” is designed to requires that any ultrasound “We thank Senator Marshall give women the option of performed must allow the for his dedication and observing an ultrasound of their mother the opportunity to see commitment to protecting unborn child before having her baby. both women and their unborn an abortion. The language of Ultrasound legislation is in children,” said Carol Tobias, the bill is based on legislation effect in 26 of the 28 states president of National Right to developed by National Right to with two states (North Carolina Life (NRL). “As a physician, Life. Currently, 28 states have and Montana) not in effect Senator Marshall understands some requirements providing that mothers need as much ultrasounds to pregnant mothers See “Marshall,” page 21 information as possible before Sen. Roger Marshall prior to an abortion. Six of Massive Spending Bill Preserves Prolife Protections, including the Hyde Amendment By Jennifer Popik, J.D., Director of Federal Legislation Late Thursday, March 9th, On Friday President Biden September, takes time to life-saving policy. the Senate passed a massive signed a continuing resolution make its way from Congress While campaigning for omnibus spending bill which to fund the federal government to the White House. Biden is president, Biden reversed his contains long-standing pro- long-standing support for the life protections, including Hyde Amendment, which the Hyde Amendment. This prevents tax-payer funding of victory comes in the face of abortion. In addition, Speaker pro-abortion Democrats’ year- Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) long campaign to remove long- announced in August 2021 that established pro-life protections she intended not to include long- from spending packages. standing pro-life protections in The $1.5 trillion the 2022 appropriations bills. appropriations package now House Appropriations Chair heads to President Joe Biden’s Rosa DeLauro, (D-Conn.), desk, where he’s expected to the first chair since 1977 to sign it this week. The 12-bill in the short term, averting likely to sign the $1.5 trillion remove Hyde in the original omnibus is the result of months a government shutdown. appropriations bill next week. bill, expressed frustration over of negotiating, as well as a The Senate-passed larger This marks an impressive win last-minute effort to add aid to appropriations bill, which for pro-life Republicans who See “Hyde,” page 27 Ukraine. funds the government through worked hard to preserve this
Editorials
What do you know? President Biden says he
“won’t stand” for ban on abortion after 15 weeks
It was short and not at all sweet–-a tweet in which pro-abortion
President Joe Biden said, “My administration will not stand for
the continued erosion of women’s constitutional rights.” He was
referring to the latest pro-life breakthrough: Florida’s bill banning
abortion after 15 weeks. (Later in the day, Gov. DeSanctis said he
would sign the legislation.)
Not to be outdone, pro-abortion Vice President Kamala Harris
tweeted, “This bill is extreme by any standard. The right of women
to make decisions about their own bodies is non-negotiable.”
The tweets followed “a roundtable discussion with Florida
reproductive rights advocates and elected leaders to discuss
Florida’s House Bill 5.”
According to a readout of White House Meeting with Florida
Reproductive Rights Advocates
During the meeting, Florida leaders shared their
efforts opposing HB 5 and the steps they are taking
to support women’s access to reproductive health
care. Senior Administration Officials emphasized the
Administration’s support of Floridians’ reproductive
rights and thanked the leaders for their efforts. They
also discussed the larger trend of state laws restricting
access to critical reproductive health care in states
across the country. Pro-abortion President Joe Biden
See “Biden,” page 29 Photo: Gage Skidmore
Biden and his fellow pro-abortion Democrats have
lost massive ground among electorate
Very early in his March 1 State of the Union Address--his second The latter figure is very telling. During the campaign and into his
paragraph in fact--President Biden said, “Tonight, we meet as first year as President, people separated how they felt about his job
Democrats Republicans and Independents. But most importantly performance with how they felt about Biden as an individual. The
as Americans.” two lines are now crossing.
If a raft of surveys is indicative, Americans—particularly The public’s preference for which party they prefer to be in
Independents and Republican but even a growing number of power—long a huge advantage for Democrats—has flipped.
Democrats—are growing more and more united in their disapproval “46% of voters said they would back a Republican candidate for
of our 46th President. Congress if the election were today, compared with 41% who
After a very brief reprieve, the downward spiral of Mr. Biden favored a Democrat, with Republicans gaining support among
continues to pick up speed. Take the latest Wall Street Journal poll Black and Hispanic voters since the last Journal poll,” the Wall
released last Friday. Street Journal’s Michael Bender reported.
According to Guy Benson, when it comes to job approval, Very telling is the migration of minority voters into the
the President is underwater by 15 points—42% approval, 57% Republican column. “The survey also found Republicans making
disapproval—“virtually unchanged from last November, when gains among minority groups,” Bender wrote. “By 9 percentage
pro-Republican swings flipped the governorship in bluer Virginia points, Hispanic voters in the new poll said they would back a
– and came surprisingly close to doing the same in bluer New Republican candidate for Congress over a Democrat. The two
Jersey. His personal favorability has also eroded over the ensuing
months, dropping from (-11) to (-15).” See “Democrats” page 32
From the President
Carol Tobias
Let’s Make America Shine!
I was invited by Ibero- During my panel discussion, I was asked or dangers for her individual situation is
American Congress what I considered the biggest local (US) and essential. In addition the visit presents the
for Life and Family global challenges for the pro-life movement. opportunity to conduct an ultrasound and/
(CIVF) to join them I narrowed it down to two items. or the critical ability to date the pregnancy.
for some special events The biggest battle we have is to make The numbers of complications, failures and
in Guatemala last sure Democrats in Congress do not have incomplete abortions rise the farther along
week. The president the votes to enact a radical unlimited- the woman is past the official 10-week
of Guatemala, Dr. abortion-on-demand-for-all-nine-months- cutoff.
Alejandro Giammattei, of-pregnancy law as a national law--over- As I watched President Giamattei unveil
was hosting a celebration that declared riding the many pro-life laws in effect in a monument declaring Guatemala “Pro-
Guatemala to be the “Pro-Life Capital of the states. In addition, we must make sure Life Capitol of Ibero-America,” I thought
Ibero-America.” pro-abortionists do not add a sufficient of my beloved country. For 400 years,
In conjunction with this celebration, CIVF number of justices to the Supreme Court people around the world have looked to
was hosting its “6th Annual Assembly to lock in that law for many, many years America as a beacon of hope; the land
of the Ibero-American Congress for Life to come. The “easy” solution is to elect of freedom and liberty and opportunity.
and Family,” along with the “Continental pro-life candidates, especially US Senate Ronald Reagan called America a shining
Summit of Government Officials.” I was candidates, in November. city on a hill.
asked to participate on a panel titled, I explained why my biggest global But that light has dimmed. In 50 years,
“Defending Life: new global challenges” concern is the abortion pill. Women are we’ve killed more than 63 million unborn
for the Annual Assembly. I, of course, basically being assured that killing their children, and we’ve given billions of dollars
accepted the invitation with pleasure! baby is about as easy as taking an aspirin. to organizations that promote and perform
The title of “Pro-Life Capital of Ibero- The abortion pill is dangerous for baby and abortions in developing countries.
America,” given to Guatemala, is well-
deserved. President Giamattei and the
congressional leadership are strongly
pro-life. The country’s law does not allow
abortion unless the mother’s life is in danger.
And Guatemala is the latest country to sign
on to the Geneva Consensus Declaration,
a critical effort coordinated by President
Trump’s administration.
Initially signed by the US and 31
other countries, the Geneva Consensus
Declaration firmly states that there is no
international right to abortion and that every
country has the sovereign right to make
their own laws to protect innocent human
life. Guatemala became the 35th country to
sign the document.
Guatemala would have been the 36th Guatemala President Dr. Alejandro Giammattei with NRLC President Carol Tobias
signatory but, unfortunately yet not mother, and is becoming increasingly easier Just maybe, this year, the US Supreme
surprisingly, one of Joe Biden’s first acts to obtain. Court will overturn Roe v Wade so we
as president was to withdraw the US as a I addressed the way many of our state can protect babies, at least in some states
signatory to the Declaration. affiliates are confronting the increased use of (unless, as stated above, Democrats in
The Assembly hosted by CIVF was mifepristone/misoprostol through legislation. Congress pass a national pro-abortion
extremely encouraging. As you would Various efforts include a requirement that law). And we’ll work hard to elect another
expect, with a name like “Ibero-America,” the abortionist inform women about the president who won't fund abortion.
most attendees spoke Spanish and many Abortion Pill Reversal process. Genuine I want America, again, to be a light to the
were bilingual. They welcomed English- informed consent should include making world, promoting the sanctity and dignity of
only speakers from the US to the Assembly sure a woman knows that, if she begins the human life. But we have a lot of work to do.
in an effort to unite our goals and efforts on two-drug chemical abortion technique but We need to elect pro-life candidates in this
behalf of life. changes her mind after taking the first drug year’s elections. We need to educate more
There were pastors who wanted to help (mifepristone) but before taking the second people about the humanity of the unborn
equip other pastors to promote life in their dose of pills (misoprostol), she may be able child and why we need to protect and defend
congregations. There were those who, like me, to seek help to save her baby. our weakest and most vulnerable brothers
represented organizations that work to affect Other provisions would prevent sending and sisters. We need to help women who
public policy. Others work with pregnancy abortion pills directly into a woman’s home think their only or best option is killing their
centers and adoption promotion and post- via mail. Requiring that the woman meet child, and we need to provide support for
abortive women. The people in attendance in-person with the abortion pill-prescribing women who are dealing with post-abortion
represented a variety of interests and talents doctor so that she can be given a physical after-effects.
that make up the pro-life movement. exam to determine possible complications Let’s help America to shine!
4 March 2022 National Right to Life News www.NRLC.org
Catherine Davis will be our Prayer Breakfast speaker at
the 2022 National Right to Life Convention
Roster of speaker for NRLC 2022 beginning to take shape
By Dave Andrusko
We are excited to announce issues that are impacting the Institute›s Center on Human to organizations across the
that we now have confirmation. Black community. Exceptionalism and is Host of country about the value of true
Catherine Davis will be One of our most popular their “Humanize” Podcast. inspiration, lasting leadership
speaking at #NRLC2022 speakers will anchor the For those of who are principles, the dynamics
opening Prayer Breakfast, General Session right after the passionate about motivational of teamwork, and fulfilling
June 24. Miss Davis is the Prayer Breakfast. Wesley J. speakers and football, Friday potential.
founder and president of The Smith, J.D. will be speaking night NRLC 2022 welcomes Closing out NRLC 2022 jam-
Restoration Project. She often on “Preventing Technocracy Super Bowl Champion & packed two-day convention
is Jim Daly. Many of you
are familiar with Jim who
is the president of Focus on
the Family. The daily radio
program which he hosts has a
massive audience of more than
5.6 million listeners a week and
has been honored as Program
of the Year by the National
Religious Broadcasters. He will
be joined by the winner of the
National Right to Life Oratory
Contest who will deliver his or
her winning speech.
When you attend the annual
gathering of the pro-life family
you will have your choice of
nearly 50 workshops in addition
to five general sessions, a
Prayer Breakfast, in addition to
the closing Banquet.
Registration information
can be accessed at https://
nrlconvention.com/product-
category/register.
It may seem early but
NRLC2022 is just a little over
three months away. So do
yourself, and National Right to
partners with the National Black Crucial to Sanctity of Life.” Author Matt Birk. A graduate Life, a favor and register early.
Prolife Coalition, the Network You are familiar with him of Harvard University, Matt This two-day pro-life
of Politically Active Christians, as an author and repeat was the recipient of the 2011 educational event of the year
and the Frederick Douglas speaker at National Right to Walter Payton NFL Man of the will take place June 24-25
Foundation in an ongoing effort Life Conventions. Wesley is Year award for his excellence at the Atlanta Airport Marriott
to educate Americans about the now Chair, of the Discovery on and off the field. Matt speaks Hotel. I hope to see you there.
www.NRLC.org National Right to Life News March 2022 5
“But yet again, our colleagues wish to demonstrate that
the radical left fringe runs today’s Democratic Party”
By Dave Andrusko
If you haven’t had the performance of further than codifying to women’s health
opportunity to read “Senate abortions to licensed Roe v. Wade into care, defend the
Rejects Cloture on the physicians; federal law by barring constitutional right
Democrats’ Abortion on • Bans on elective states from enacting affirmed by Roe, and
Demand Without Limits Bill” abortion after 20 restrictions on abortion protect the freedom of
on page six, please take a weeks when an both later and earlier all people to build their
few minutes out of your busy unborn child is in pregnancy. own future.
schedule to read NRLC’s capable of feeling
explanation. It is spot on and pain; In explaining his vote in favor, Pro-life Senate Republican
one of the very few places • Requirements to Sen. Tim Kaine pretended that Leader Mitch McConnell, as
you’ll see the draconian nature provide women he so often does, hammered the
of the laughably (or cynically) with information Democrats for their extremism
misnamed “Women’s Health on alternatives to and hypocrisy:
Protection Act” laid out in abortion; With a cascade of
detail. • Bans on the use of major crises testing
To be clear the 46 votes for abortion as a method our country, Senate
and 48 votes against meant of sex selection, and Democrats are
supporters fell 14 votes short of abortions done based prioritizing a show
the 60 votes needed to overcome on a diagnosis of a vote on mandating nine
a filibuster. Had the Senate disability, including months of abortion on
taken up the Women’s Health Down Syndrome. demand across America.
Protection Act, it would have Senate Democrats
“fallen short of the 50 votes What was pro-abortion want to go on the
needed for passage after Sen. Majority Leader Charles record supporting the
Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., joined Schumer’s take, just prior to radical and massively
Republicans in opposition,” the vote? unpopular proposition
according to NBC News’s Sahil “We are here to throw that we should have
Kapur and Ali Vitali. cold water on the flames functionally no
NRLC’s explanation of of anti-women bigotry restrictions on abortion
the protective laws that the and affirm five sacred the WHPA would not affect the whatsoever. …
measure (WHPA) would nullify words: Abortion is a Hyde Amendment—which he But yet again, our
included fundamental right.” supports—but merely uphold colleagues wish to
Nearly all Federal limits on the “core holding of Roe v. Wade demonstrate that the
taxpayer funding of abortion; Five “sacred words” from — that “women should be able radical left fringe runs
• Conscience pro- “anti-woman” bigots? Always to make their own decisions today’s Democratic
tection laws allowing the gracious loser. regarding reproductive Party.
medical professionals Predictably, we were told in health without unreasonable As the world prays for
to opt-out of a gazillion stories and on the government interference.” Ukraine and debates
providing abortions; floor of the House and Senate White House Press Secretary consequences for
• Requirements to that “all” the WHPA would do Jen Psaki issued a statement Putin… as American
provide women would be “to codify Roe.” This which ended with this: families contend with
seeking abortion with is fundamentally dishonest— As dangerous new laws violent crime, open
specific information not to mention inaccurate—but proliferate in states borders, and runaway
on their unborn child; what we’ve come to expect across the country, inflation… Washington
• Laws providing from pro-abortionists the last the Biden-Harris Democrats want
reflection periods fifty years. Administration will to spend their time
(waiting periods); Politico’s Alice Miranda continue to explore the arguing for unlimited
• Laws requiring Ollstein was a conspicuous measures and tools at abortion on demand.
parental consent exception: our disposal to stand up I want to thank the
or notification for The bill, which for women’s equality. Majority Leader for
minors seeking an progressive lawmakers This is a moment for making it so clear
abortion; have pushed since us to recommit to where his party’s
• Laws limiting the 2013, would have gone strengthening access priorities lie.
6 March 2022 National Right to Life News www.NRLC.org Voters Must Hold Democrats Accountable for Vote on Abortion-Without-Limits Bill By Karen Cross, National Right to Life Political Director On February 28, 2022, Senate incumbents also signaled their legislationthe centerpiece of Republican incumbent in Democrats voted in favor of supportfor the radical proposal. her entire campaign. 2022, is facing a challenge one of the most extreme pro- In the key swing state of In Ohio, which also has an from several pro-abortion abortion bills to ever come Pennsylvania, which has an open Senate seat in 2022, Democrats. The two leading before the U.S. Senate. The open Senate seat up for grabs Congressman Tim Ryan, candidates for the Democratic so-called “Women’s Health in 2022, Democrat Senate the leading candidate for nomination are State Treasurer Protection Act,” which could hopefuls made no mystery of the Democratic nomination, Sarah Godlewski and be more accurately called where they stand. Lieutenant voted for the House version Lieutenant Governor Mandela the “No-Limits-on-Abortion- Governor John Fetterman has of the bill. Similarly, Barnes. Godlewski, who until-Birth Act,”would have repeatedly tweeted his support Congresswoman Val Demings, received an early endorsement enshrined abortion in federal for the bill. Congressman the leading Democratic from EMILY’s List, urged law and policies, and it would urgent passage of the bill. She overridden nearly all existing even called on the Senate to state laws. eliminate the filibuster in order The motion to advance the to do so. Barnes tweeted his bill failed (by a vote of 46-48), support for the bill, claiming but it shined a light on how “the stakes have never been out of touch Senate Democrat higher” and that abortion are with the American public without limits is one of the on the issue of abortion. It reasons “we need Democrats in also opens a door for pro-life Congress.” Senate candidates in 2022 to A January 2021 Marist illustrate to voters the clear poll found 86 percent of contrast between their position Republicans, 67 percent of in favor of protections for Independents, and even 45 the unborn and that of their percent of Democrats support opponents who have now in commonsense limits on no uncertain terms endorsed abortion. Conversely, only abortion on demand, for any 11 percent of Republicans, reason, until birth. 30 percent of Independents, Several Senate Democrats and 51 percent of Democrats in competitive reelection Conor Lamb voted to advance candidate hoping to take on support abortion without any fights later this year are now the House version of the bill. pro-life Senator Marco Rubio restrictions. on the record in support of State Representative Malcolm in Florida’s Senate race, also The vote on the so-called this extreme pro-abortion bill. Kenyatta introduced a state- voted in favor of the bill. Women’s Health Protection Act Senators Michael Bennet (D- level version of the bill in In North Carolina, the all- has exposed the stranglehold CO), Catherine Cortez Masto the Pennsylvania House. It but-assured Democratic that the abortion industry has (D-NV), Maggie Hassan (D- would establish a fundamental nominee Cheri Beasley has over the Democratic Party. NH), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) “right to abortion” and called for passage of the bill “This legislation shows just how voted in favor of the legislation. override existing state pro-life in public statementson her rigid and uncompromising the Senator Raphael Warnock (D- protections including parental website and on social media. Democratic Party has become GA) was out of town for the involvement for minor girls, She lamented that the Senate on abortion,” said National vote but had signed on as a informed consent, a waiting was unable to advance the bill, Right to Life President Carol cosponsor. period, a ban on sex-selective tweeting “Enough is enough” Tobias following the vote. Democrat incumbents are not abortions, limits on taxpayer and encouraged supporters In 2022, voters should not the only ones taking a stand for funding of abortion, and to donate to her campaign. overlook the pro-abortion abortion on demand without more. Dr. Val Arkoosh, who In Wisconsin, pro-life Senator extremism advocated by Senate limits. Democrat candidates is endorsed by pro-abortion Ron Johnson, who many Democrats and their party’s running for open seats and fundraising giant EMILY’s political observers believe to Senate hopefuls. Instead, they those challenging Republican List, has made the radical be the Senate’s most vulnerable should hold them accountable.
www.NRLC.org National Right to Life News March 2022 7
Abortions Drop in Texas After Heartbeat Law
Advocates claim women just got abortions elsewhere
By Randall K. O’Bannon, Ph.D. NRL Director of Education & Research
Whenever pro-life legislation half that many, 2,164, a steep the basis for the New York But it does appear to show that
passes and goes into effect, drop off of almost 60%. Times claim that a lot of Texas numbers of aborted minded
abortion advocates are anxious Some of the drop may have women simply traveled out of women were not deterred by
to prove two things: 1) that the been due to an August rush state for their abortions comes the law and simply traveled out
legislation doesn’t work; 2) to obtain abortions before the from a March 2022 TxPEP of state to get their abortions.
that women have found a way law took effect, but the 2,164 analysis titled “Out-of-State
around the law. was still close to half of the
Both claims were made in a 4,313 those clinics reported for
recent piece in the New York September of 2020.
Times, “Most Women Denied Any way you look at things,
Abortions by Texas Law Got the number of abortions
Them Another Way” (3/6/22). performed by clinics in Texas
Citing a few recent studies and took a nosedive once the law
analyses by abortion advocates, became operative.
the Times claimed that while the
number of abortions performed Going Elsewhere?
by Texas abortion clinics did go Abortion advocates claim that
down with the implementation Texas women simply got their
of their heartbeat bill on abortions elsewhere.
September 1, 2021, the number Researchers from the
of women traveling out of state Guttmacher Institute fired the
for abortions or managing their first salvo in November of 2021.
own abortions at home with Guttmacher claimed that their
pills bought over the internet survey of 120 clinics showed
nearly made up for those “lost” clinics in neighboring states
abortions. “overloaded” and that data from
There is reason to believe 11 other different states and the
that some Texas women did, at District of Columbia showed
least initially, look elsewhere increases in the numbers of
for their abortions – to some abortions provided to Texas Travel for Abortion Following Ordering pills for home
degree because of everything residents (“New Evidence: Implementation of Texas abortions
the abortion industry did to Texas Residents Have Obtained Senate Bill 8.” (http://sites. Another part of the claim
prepare for such an eventuality. abortions in at Least 12 States utexas.edu/txpep/files/2022/03/ that the law was ineffective
But the bottom line still appears That Do Not Border Texas” TxPEP-out-of-state-SB8.pdf) was that women simply turned
to be that the law has been https://www.guttmacher.org/ In that analysis, TxPEP to the internet and ordered
responsible for saving many article/2021/11/new-evidence- claimed that “SB8 has forced abortion pills online. This way
lives. texas-residents-have-obtained- nearly 1,400 Texans out of state they could have the abortion
abortions-least-12-states-do- for abortion care each month.” drugs mailed and delivered to
Abortions drop significantly not-border). They calculated that number on their homes so that they could
Official stats are still months Though considered as the basis of surveys that TxPEP self-induce these dangerous
away, but a survey of Texas percentage increases, these did of 34 (out of 44) open abortions there.
clinics found a big drop off in sometimes appeared large (e.g., clinics in Arkansas, Colorado, To the degree that this did
the number of abortions once one clinic in a neighboring state Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, happen, it was very much an
SB8, the Texas “Heartbeat Bill” said Texas residents obtaining New Mexico and Arizona – orchestrated outcome.
went into effect on September1, abortions at gestations of neighboring states bordering Rebecca Gomperts is
2021. 12 weeks or more sent from Texas or a few hundred miles the Dutch abortion activist
The Texas Policy 13% to more than 25% in away from its nearest border. responsible for stunts
Evaluation Project (TxPEP), the two months after the law From September to December promoting chemical abortion
a multidisciplinary abortion went into effect), the authors of 2019, TxPEP said that the like the abortion ship, drone,
advocacy group set up by the admitted that there survey did clinics it contacted reported train, bus, etc., and for abortion
University of Texas at Austin not include all U.S. clinics and 514 abortions to women listing hotlines in European and South
in 2011, surveyed 19 out of the was not representative. They Texas as their residence. For American countries. Since
state’s 24 abortion “providers” also noted that the number of the same period in 2021, those 2005, Gomperts has run a
checking on abortions before Texas residents they found same clinics reported 5,574 website -- womenonweb.org
and after the law went into aborting at any particular clinic abortions to Texas residents, -- where women could order
effect. In August 2021, was typically fewer than five about ten times as many. abortion pills from all over the
those clinics reported 5,377 (sometimes merely increasing This does not account for the world.
abortions. In the following from zero to one). full drop, and there are still See “Drop,” page 8
month, they found less than A lot of the publicity and some questions about this data,
8 March 2022 National Right to Life News www.NRLC.org
Abortions Drop in Texas After Heartbeat Law
From page 7
In 2018, distressed by of the abortion drop in Texas place to take advantage of the as early as the 5th or 6th week
state laws limiting women’s after the Heartbeat law took situation. * of pregnancy (when the unborn
“access” to abortion in the U.S., effect is accounted for. The scale and impact of child is three to four weeks
she began a program called Aid But this ignores a few critical this campaign should not be old), fewer women will find
Access selling abortion pills admissions on the part of the underestimated. TxPEPE the idea of traveling out of
online to American women. abortion industry. specifically mentioned in its state for an abortion desirable.
When the Texas law went into Up front, Aiken and Gomperts analysis that “about half of The same applies as more local
effect, Gomperts made clear admit that “we cannot determine participants reported receiving abortion clinics close for lack
she never had any intention of whether all requests resulted in financial assistance that of business or simply grow
complying with its prohibitions. abortions.” Women may have covered some of their travel tired of sending their clients to
“I don’t care about six ordered the pills and not taken and abortion costs.” The clinics in other states, and as
weeks,” Gomperts told CBS them. They may have thought reason a lot of these women many of those states pass their
News. “It’s another law that they were pregnant and turned got abortions in neighboring own protective legislation and
is not based on any scientific out not to be. They may have states was because the industry see their own clinics close.
evidence, human rights, changed their minds after taking specifically helped facilitate With September of 2021 only
common sense,” she said. “I mifepristone and looked into that outcome. about six months in the rear view
will provide [prescriptions for abortion pill reversal. The pills In other words, the jump mirror, it will be some months
abortion pills] until 10 weeks may have failed, prompting them in out of state abortions, and yet before the babies that were
of pregnancy like I’ve always to head to the ER for treatment even the sudden surge in online scheduled to be aborted that
done” (CBS News, 9/23/21). of a failed “miscarriage” or they orders for abortion pills, to the month will be born. So it will be
Given that commitment may have joined those women degree that there was one, was some time yet before we begin
and Gomperts having laid the traveling out of state for a somewhat artificial, It was more to have a full, clear record of the
groundwork (and done the surgical procedure. the product of the successful law’s impact.
publicity) in the years before, They may not have been implementation of a short term But even with some women
the sudden increases in online pregnant at all, but simply sales strategy rather than any going out of state and others
abortion pill orders from Texas ordered the pills peremptorily, organic trend. turning to online abortifacients,
that Gomperts and then the as suggested by Gomperts and The more accurate assessment even the New York Times had to
New York Times reported were others, to have on hand for will not come until years from grant that the net effect of this
hardly surprising. later if “needed” once the pills now, when we can compare legislation was that lives were
Writing in a “research letter” became harder to obtain. birth and abortion rates from saved.
published February 25, 2022 The promotion of abortion the same basic time frame. The data shows the
in JAMA Network Open, pills by Gomperts at limitations of laws
Gomperts, TxPEP researcher precisely the time the Biden Ultimate impact yet restricting abortion.
Abigail Aiken, and others administration’s Food and to be seen Yet it also shows how
claimed that Aid Access saw Drug Administration (FDA) The number of abortions restrictions erect
a surge in online requests for was authorizing telemedical Texas clinics performed significant obstacles,
abortion pills in September abortions (though notably NOT thankfully did drop drastically which will cause
of 2021. It went from around approving Aid Access onlne with the implementation of its some women to carry
10.8 requests per day in Texas sales) may have also been a Heartbeat law. That impact was unwanted pregnancies
before the law was enacted to factor. This probably played probably somewhat blunted to term.
137.7 request per day for the a role in making some Texas by deliberate efforts of the
first week of September. women think, albeit incorrectly, abortion industry to sell Texas Thanks to those laws, those
This died back down over that online pills were a safe, women abortion pills online legislators, those hardworking
the next few weeks, but legitimate legal alternative to and send others out of state for pro-lifers offering practical,
still remained at about 29.5 surgical abortions once many surgical abortions. positive alternatives, hundreds,
requests per month for the of the Texas clinic shut down or However, there is reason to thousands of those “unwanted
rest of the year from October cut back services. think that these countervailing pregnancies” --children even
1 to December 31, 2021 So exactly what trend there trends will not be sustained. pro-abortion studies tell us will
(https://jamanetwork.com/ is, or how many abortions As more women become be overwhelmingly welcomed
journals/jamanetworkopen/ these orders represent, then, is familiar with the actual safety by their mothers upon birth --
fullarticle/2789428). unknown. record of the abortion pill, will begin to be born in Texas
TxPEP surveyed only 34 of the the high numbers of failures in the next few months.
As usual, take abortion 44 clinics in neighboring states and complications and deaths
industry claims with a and argued that this probably associated with its use, as states * Such a practice was not new,
grain of salt meant that the numbers of out get better at enforcing limits as the abortion industry had
If one adds the number of of state abortions were higher. on the mailing and use of these already been doing something
Texas women Aid Access Perhaps. But this also probably dangerous pills, the less women similar for years within Texas
reports as requesting abortion means that TxPEP concentrated will go that route. and simply extended it past the
pills online to those TxPEP on the major industry players, Also, as women get used to borders (Jessica Ravitz, “ ‘I’m
reports as traveling out of state the big clinics, the big chains, the law, and become familiar an abortion travel agent’ and
for abortions, as the New York who likely had all the logistical with the fact that their babies other takes from Texas’ new
Times does, it looks like much and travel arrangements in do indeed have beating hearts desert,” CNN 3/2/16).
www.NRLC.org National Right to Life News March 2022 9 The critical importance of giving a voice to the voiceless By Laura Echevarria, NRL Director of Communications and Press Secretary I often get asked by reporters Lesson? The ability to lose effectiveness. Put another spokespersons are on the radio and other callers why National multi-task has its advantages. way, when we lose sight of our or television or when they are Right to Life is not involved However, when you divide focus, we split our resources speaking to a journalist in in other issues that are outside your focus and resources too and abilities. any capacity, they are aware of our scope. When I explain much, you stumble and can This is why whenever our of a very specific goal—to that our most fundamental right give a voice to the voiceless. is the right to life—and that Every answer we give is it is such a core belief that it made with that fundamental spans races, political parties, goal in mind. faith backgrounds and age Whether we are speaking differences, and allows us to be about chemical abortions, very focused—a majority, but a drop in the number of not all, understand. abortions, protective state laws, I learned a valuable lesson Congressional action or a court about multi-tasking this decision, the goal is always the last week. I was walking, same—to give a voice to the talking on my cell phone, voiceless. reading something on my It is all too easy to get phone, and trying to step up distracted. But we have leaders and onto a platform when I within the organization and fell. I realized that splitting within our state affiliates my attention (and losing my who are dedicated to keeping depth perception because I their eye on the goal--seeing was wearing reading glasses) that all life is protected from caused me to miss a step and fertilization to natural death. fall.
10 March 2022 National Right to Life News www.NRLC.org
Texas Supreme Court unanimously rules against
abortion providers in federal challenge
to Texas Heartbeat Law
By Dave Andrusko
In a unanimous decision, the grant the state-agency which decided that this was law. But “The U.S. Supreme
Texas Supreme Court on March executives named as a state call best made by the Court disagreed with all of those
11 dealt a crippling blow to defendants in this Texas Supreme Court. arguments but one, allowing a
pro-abortionists seeking to case any authority “The unresolved questions challenge against the medical
derail SB 8, the Heartbeat Law. to enforce the Act’s of state law must be certified licensing officials to proceed,”
Opponents have now lost at requirements, either to the Texas Supreme Court Klibanoff said. “That case then
both the U.S. Supreme Court directly or indirectly. and further briefing will went back to the 5th U.S. Circuit
and the state’s highest court await that court’s decision on Court of Appeals, which sent it
level since the ban took effect “This was the last, narrowly certification,” wrote Judge to the Texas Supreme Court to
on September 1. Estimates are cracked window that abortion Edith H. Jones. “This court weigh in on.”
that at least 17,000 unborn lives On February 24, the Texas
have been saved. Supreme Court heard argument
Under SB 8, abortions may from attorneys for the Office of
not be performed after the the Attorney General regarding
unborn child’s heartbeat is whether any state governmental
detectable – generally around entity is authorized to enforce
the sixth week of pregnancy. SB 8.
By a vote of 9-0, the court The state’s lawyers said SB 8
ruled that state medical clearly states that only private
licensing officials do not citizens can enforce the law
have authority—directly or through civil litigation.
indirectly—“to enforce the “Justices on the Texas
law, which bans abortions Supreme Court agreed,
after about six weeks of with Boyd writing that the
pregnancy,” Eleanor Klibanoff law includes ‘emphatic,
reported. unambiguous, and repeated
The decision, written by provisions’ stating that civil
Justice Jeffrey Boyd, concluded litigation is the ‘exclusive’
Senate Bill 8 provides method for enforcing the act’s
that its requirements requirements,’” according
may be enforced to Madlin Mekelburg of the
by a private civil Austin American-Statesman.
action, that no state Earlier this month, Texas
official may bring providers had left to challenge reasonably seeks the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
or participate as a the law after the U.S. Supreme Supreme Court’s final word offered an encouraging update
party in any such Court decimated their case in on the matter, with no limit of the life-saving impact
action, that such an a December ruling,” Klibanoff placed by the Supreme Court’s of Texas’s Heartbeat Law
action is the exclusive reported. remand, this court may utilize championed by NRLC affiliate
means to enforce the S.B.8 has been up and down the ordinary appellate tools Texas Right to Life. According
requirements, and the legal ladder since taking at our disposal to address the to Paxton’s office, Texas SB8
that these restrictions effect September 1. U.S. case—consistent with the has saved approximately
apply notwithstanding District Judge Robert Pitman in Court’s opinion.” 17,000 newborn lives since it
any other law. Based Austin, the trial judge, briefly Abortion advocates had went into effect on September
on these provisions, blocked S.B.8 in October. His originally argued that a whole 1, 2021. Abortions fell by 60
we conclude that order was put on hold by the range of state officials were the percent in Texas the first month
Texas law does not 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ones that actually enforced the after SB8 took effect.www.NRLC.org National Right to Life News March 2022 11 Teens on Fire for LIFE! By Bonnie Finnerty, Education Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation They say good things come educational outreach and that belief that life is sacred and contest into their classroom in threes. Three times recently she was a still a senior in high worth protecting. She was assignments, other essays I have been awe-struck by the school! willing to endure unkind are submitted by individual passion and conviction of pro- A few days later I received a remarks from classmates. She students. We’ve received life teenagers. plea for help from a colleague. just needed more “ammunition” essays from public, private, First was the young woman Her friend’s daughter, an eighth to fight the good fight…facts Catholic, Christian, vocational, who knocked on my door grader in public school, was and figures, science and stories and homeschool students. One one Saturday, making sure experiencing much push back to show them that abortion is not young lady, a public school Pennsylvania residents from her peers about her pro- empowering or compassionate student, wrote and emailed understood where political life convictions. She planned or justified. In a follow-up her essay after going to an candidates stood on life issues. to write a paper about abortion email, I “armed” her with educational talk offered by a I let her do her thing before local pregnancy center. She telling her that I too work was so moved by what she in the pro-life movement. learned, she entered our contest Despite a windy, brisk that night. afternoon, we ended up having Some students emailed a prolonged conversation their essays which I in turn about abortion and how to acknowledged, thanking the effectively share the truth. I student for being a voice for was practically moved to tears life. Several students replied by her dedication to knock on and thanked us for sponsoring doors, risking rejection and the contest. One young lady challenges as she moved from wrote, “You don’t have to thank house to house, neighborhood me for submitting an essay…I to neighborhood. thank you for giving me an While she occasionally found opportunity to be able to share an ally like me, sometimes she and its devastating effects on several good resources-books, my opinion about abortion! really had to work hard to open women and society, but she videos, articles, websites- that The topic is very important to eyes to the reality of abortion. needed to talk through common she can use as she grows in her me and I want to help any way She told me of an instance just mantras she was hearing from pro-life advocacy. I am in awe I can, and this contest gave me that day where she and her her classmates, such as “My of her courage and have no the chance to get my voice out, partner talked with a decidedly body, my choice” and “It’s doubt that she will be planting so I’d write this essay any day pro-choice woman for an not a baby yet.” How can she seeds in the hearts of many of if it meant helping the women hour. By the end, that woman respond? Where can she find her peers today and in the years of our state!!” expressed doubt in her original good resources? to come. While I am supposed to be position, pledging to do more This young lady and I were And then, even more teen the educator, I think these research! able to talk by phone for almost voices for life inundated me! amazing teens are teaching me As if trekking through an hour. She was a mature This week marked the deadline and all of us “seasoned” pro- unfamiliar neighborhoods on middle schooler, impressing me for our annual pro-life essay lifers a valuable lesson: don’t a cold winter weekend wasn’t with her wisdom and fortitude. contest for grades 7-12. I have ever let our pro-life flame enough, I then learned that At a time in her life when hundreds of essays sitting on grow dim…stay strong and this young woman actually peer pressure is reportedly the my desk, sorted into our two bright, and when it’s darkest, traveled over an hour and a half greatest, she was not backing judging categories. While courageously spread the light to do this boots-on-the-ground down from her deeply held some teachers incorporate the of life.
12 March 2022 National Right to Life News www.NRLC.org
Maryland Bill Effectively Decriminalizes
Neglecting Newborns to Death
By Wesley J. Smith
Remember when former (1) Terminating A person may bring a cause morally by many in mainstream
Virginia governor Ralph or attempting to of action for damages if the bioethics, and which currently
Northam blessed the right of a terminate the person’s person was subject to unlawful is permitted in the Netherlands
mother and her doctor to “have own pregnancy; or arrest or criminal investigation upon terminally ill babies
a conversation” and decide to (2) Experiencing a
neglect a newborn survivor of miscarriage, perinatal
abortion to death? Well, now, a death related to a
Maryland bill would effectively failure to act, or
decriminalize Northam’s stillbirth
immoral proposal without
regard to abortion. This means that a baby who
First, it reiterates current survived an abortion can be
law that deprives fetuses allowed to die without care,
of all rights, meaning they and no investigation could
could be the subjects of live be pursued nor legal penalty
experimentation when that is applied.
technologically feasible. From But it also effectively
SB 669: decriminalizes death by neglect
Nothing in this section for the first 28 days of life
shall be construed to without regard to abortion.
confer personhood or If no investigation can be for a violation of section as a and those born with serious
any rights on the fetus. conducted, what else can it be result of . . . disabilities. After all, once the
called? For example, a baby 2) Experiencing a law permits death by neglect,
born with a disability could miscarriage, stillbirth, allowing lethal injections would
Next, the bill would prevent be allowed to die by refusing or perinatal death be seen as more “humane” than
investigations and legal ordinary methods of care or the extended suffering that
penalties for abortion at any medical treatment. Heck, for The pro-abortion left clearly would otherwise be caused.
point in the pregnancy and that matter, so could any baby is slouching toward not only Tell me again: Who are the
“perinatal” deaths caused the mother does not want in the authorizing late term abortions radicals? Who are the ones who
by “failure to act” — which first 28 days after birth. for any reason, but also, post- don’t care about babies after
extend from the 22nd week of To further ensure that such birth deaths of unwanted born they are born?
gestation through to the first 28 deaths can take place without babies.
days after birth (my emphasis): consequence, the bill would Based on the current advocacy Editor’s note. Wesley’s great
This section may not be authorize those illegally trajectory, such proposals will columns appear at National
construed to authorize investigated for causing babies eventually extend to permitting Review Online and reposted
any form of investigation to die by neglect to bring civil active infanticide, which is with his permission.
or penalty for a person: lawsuits! already promoted as legitimatewww.NRLC.org National Right to Life News March 2022 13
A sterling defense of Abortion Pill Reversal
By Dave Andrusko
Christa Brown is a registered Heartbeat International, which 2017, support the science of chemical abortions account for
nurse and director of also manages the Abortion reversal using progesterone,” at least half of all the abortions
medical impact for Heartbeat Pill Rescue Network (APRN), Brown writes. “A 2018 study performed in the US.
International, the world’s submitted an appeal to Google showed successful reversal “Abortion apologists are
largest network of pregnancy- but was unsuccessful rates of 64 percent and 68 invested in protecting this
help organizations. In a recent Brown methodically, point by percent, respectively, with no lucrative and simpler mode of
column for National Review, point, rebuts Nadler’s attacks apparent risk of birth defects. abortion delivery, so they work
she penned a sterling defense on APR which are not new. She Amid the push to repress to quash APR,” Brown writes.
of the effectiveness of Abortion begins with an unrebuttable APR on big-tech platforms, “Acknowledging the safety
and success of APR means
admitting that some women
regret their abortion. As an
antidote to unwanted chemical
abortions, APR is bad for
business.”
By the way, it is not surprising
but worth noting, that all the
sources Nadler uses are pro-
abortion.
She ends with a question:
what happened to “choice”?
At least 3,000 women
thus far began to
undergo a chemical
abortion, regretted
their decision, and
made a different choice
with the help of APR.
Nadler has dismissed
Pill reversal against the attack truth: over 3,000 babies are chemical-abortion drug sales these mothers and their
of pro-abortion Representative alive today because of their are still permitted online, children, along with
Jerrold Nadler. mother’s courage and the APR including via Facebook, despite the intelligence and
Nadler wrote a letter on protocol. the numerous safety risks of tenacity of women who
February 11 “asking for She explains the simplicity these drugs. While joining in deserve the chance to
answers about Facebook’s of the technique. In chemically the effort to hide ads about APR, reject abortion at any
policy allowing advertisements abortions, two drugs are used— Nadler advocates advertising a point in the process.
for abortion-pill reversal mifepristone and misoprostol. risky abortion procedure that
(APR),” Brown wrote. “In To counter the mifepristone, can harm women.” Rather than a “flawed theory”
the letter, Nadler states he is in lieu of taking the second Dr. Randall K. O’Bannon, (as Nadler charges), over 3,000
‘concerned’ that Facebook drug (misoprostol), APR uses NRLC director of education & mothers know otherwise.
permits APR ads while not progesterone, a drug that research, has written many in- “They know this because they
allowing ads for chemical physicans have employed depth critiques. have experienced a successful
abortion, claiming that APR is to prevent miscarriage for Brown talks about the reversal of an unwanted
‘medical misinformation.’” decades. investment the abortion chemical abortion, and their
Meanwhile Google banned “Studies conducted in 1989 industry has in chemical living children are a testament
all advertising of APR. and 2012, along with two in abortions. Best estimates are the to its success.”14 March 2022 National Right to Life News www.NRLC.org Florida legislature sends Gov. DeSantis a bill that would protect unborn babies after 15 weeks By Dave Andrusko TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Late Court heard oral arguments in is also being considered in ruling upholding that law.” Thursday evening, March 3, that case. A decision is expected Arizona and West Virginia. Rep. Erin Grall, who the Florida Senate joined their in June. “A child in the womb is the sponsored the House bill, colleagues in the Florida House A 15-week ban on abortions most vulnerable person in the agreed on both counts. in support of a bill that would world because they’re utterly “Working within that protect unborn babies after helpless,” Senator Danny infrastructure of 15 weeks gives the 15th week, with narrow Burgess, said before Thursday’s Florida its best opportunity to exceptions. HB 5 passed the vote. “They have no voice, they save a significant number of House by a vote of 78-39 and have no vote. They rely on babies, very quickly, after the the Senate by a 23-15. another person for everything, court’s decision,” Grall said It is now on Gov. DeSantis’ and they still matter.” last month. “The Supreme desk. At a news conference, According to Patricia Mazzei Court’s weighing of the Gov. DeSantis said he would and Alexandra Glorioso of Mississippi law was a factor in sign the bill. The New York Times, “In the decision to propose the 15- The law would take effect on Florida, proponents of banning week restriction.” July 1. Florida currently allows abortions after 15 weeks have “I never dreamed I’d be abortions up until 24 weeks. argued that there is significant standing here today, but The “Reducing Fetal and fetal development by that point. actually being able to save the Infant Mortality Act” (House They have also explicitly cited life of babies,” GOP Sen. Kelli Bill 5) is modeled after but is the Mississippi case and said Stargel told legislators. “God is not identical to Mississippi’s they want Florida to be in so good.” “Gestational Age Act.” On Pro-life Florida Governor position to reduce the number December 1st, the Supreme Ron DeSantis of abortions right away after a
www.NRLC.org National Right to Life News March 2022 15 “I am Chloe Emmanuelle Kondrich and I am NOT a ‘severe birth defect.’” By Maria V. Gallagher, Legislative Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation Some disability rights activists Chloe Kondrich has inherent dignity and rights of chromosome, the abortion rate have taken to Twitter to condemn crisscrossed the nation, people with Down syndrome. for babies with Down syndrome the World Health Organization advocating for people with She has spoken at the United remains extraordinarily high. for categorizing Down syndrome disabilities. She was also the Nations and has even had her Research indicates the vast as among “the most common inspiration for Pennsylvania’s photo displayed on the big majority of preborn babies with severe birth defects.” “Chloe’s Law,” which ensures screen in Times Square—five Down syndrome are aborted. The activists consider the that parents who receive a times! But grassroots efforts to WHO tweet to be dehumanizing and disrespectful to the many individuals around the globe who are not just surviving, but thriving, with an extra chromosome. Cable news host Rachel Campos-Duffy, a mother of nine children, one with Down syndrome, tweeted, “Why do we financially support discredited, China-run #WHO. Down syndrome is NOT a birth defect. It’s a chromosomal variation. My baby w/ Downs is as human & valuable as any of my other kids. These comments lead to discrimination & abortion. Celebrate, don’t eliminate differences.” Campos-Duffy accompanied her tweet with an adorable photo of her smiling daughter, Valentina, in the arms of the girl’s captivated father, former Congressman Sean Duffy. Meanwhile, Kurt Kondrich, a former police officer whose daughter has Down syndrome, tweeted, “The World Health Organization recently posted that Down syndrome is a ‘severe birth defect’! My amazing daughter Chloe who has changed the world has a prenatal diagnosis of Down Activists such as Campos- educate the public about the response!” syndrome receive educational Duffy and the Kondrich family promise and possibility of people The tweet included a photo resources and support. are leading the way in trying to with Down syndrome bring of Kondrich’s accomplished Chloe has met with a end the prenatal discrimination with them the hope of turning daughter with a caption that President, a Vice-President, and against individuals with the culture around. People with read, “I am Chloe Emmanuelle numerous nationally-known Down syndrome. Despite Down syndrome should be Kondrich and I am NOT a musical artists and athletes the incredible achievements celebrated—not condemned and ‘severe birth defect.’” in her efforts to promote the of people with an extra dismissed as a “birth defect.”
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