Much of tonight’s news will be dedicated to the candidates on the ticket. But for the pro-life movement, Louisiana offers a bit of hope outside of the presidential and congressional elections.
Voters approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday to prevent Louisiana’s courts from finding a “right to abortion” in the state’s constitution. The amendment, authored by a pro-life Democrat, passed 65% to 35%, according to the Associated Press, and states that “nothing in this constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.”
This is excellent news. The fight for life has always been cultural, but amendments like this will make sure that pro-life voices have a legal seat as well. Of course, pro-lifers hope that President Trump’s recent Supreme Court appointments will expand that legal voice throughout the courts, but the movement should recognize that it is at its most effective at the state level. Most abortion restrictions are passed by state legislatures, and most are challenged and ruled unconstitutional by the courts because there is no judicial precedent to back them. But by passing this amendment, Louisiana made sure that the fight for life will remain in the state Legislature’s hands, and not the courts.
Other pro-life states should follow suit. It is unlikely that abortion precedent will change dramatically any time soon, so Republican legislatures should take steps to further the pro-life movement at home. Louisiana is proof that it’s possible.
