The quest to pass national legislation that would protect life often feels like a hopeless cause. Even during full Republican control, the introduction of life-affirming protections was sure to be halted by a Senate that requires 60 votes to pass a bill. The inability to officially enact these measures at the federal level is a feature of the system, not a bug.
It’s clear that the national trend in recent years has been a push toward acceptance of extreme abortion ideologies. The “safe, legal, rare” mantra of earlier decades has all but disappeared. Now, it’s “shout your abortion!” and campaigns to remove the stigma of a violent, life-ending procedure. We hear a governor casually mention infanticide as if it’s a compassionate approach to dealing with an unwanted life. We’re told the lie that abortion is nothing more than a regular part of women’s healthcare. These rationalizations are how the industry and its supporters continue to sell such horrors to old and new listeners, alike. The only way to make their case is to present falsehoods as facts.
The failure of Congress to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act can be squarely placed on the shoulders of Democrats. Despite the fact that the bill has nothing to do with the actual procedure of abortion and only addresses giving medical care to survivors, foes have labeled it as an attempt by the “anti-abortion” movement to circumvent their right to kill. The bill does no such thing.
Despite constant setbacks, Republicans are continuing to work toward this and other pro-life goals in Congress. They should do so even when the outcome is sure to be disappointing. This way, the GOP establishes that the issue is important to the majority of their constituents. It is also necessary to show that protecting life isn’t a subject only to be used on the campaign trail in front of an adoring crowd and set aside after election victories.
While it is imperative that GOP leadership proves their pro-life bonafides to a Republican electorate, it is equally as important that they push back against the leftist media’s attempt to control the narrative and, frankly, lie about the issue. A recent piece at Politico entitled “GOP makes long-shot push to force anti-abortion vote” serves as a good example of the media’s collective strategy.
Here and elsewhere, in print and on cable channels, media types describe this as “anti-abortion” legislation when the bill doesn’t even touch that “sacred” right. Pro-life individuals of any stripe should actively and vocally reject this specific label. We must be clear about the message that every human, no matter their political persuasion, should be against infanticide. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., is doing just that:
Democrats and their allies are also quick to point out the futility of this and other fights. Politicians have rejected protections for survivors of abortion more than once, and unfortunately, they’ll do so again. Until there is a majority in both the House and a 60-plus majority in the Senate, such a measure will never become law. Those who are pro-life should be realistic about the chances but never be deterred and never grow silent.
Hopefully, one day, abortion and anti-life sentiment will largely be seen in the light of truth just as slavery is now. When that time comes, it will be clear who stood on which side during the years of societal acceptance. Regardless of current victories, or the lack thereof, pro-life politicians and supporters should stay the course.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
