If anyone needed more evidence that the mood of the country is becoming more decidedly pro-life, the unprecedented number of pro-life bills in state legislatures is it. And the abortion industry is in a panic over it.
Three hundred seventy-four anti-abortion bills have been introduced in state legislatures, which accordingly to a NARAL spokesperson, is 200 more than last year. CNN reports that 29 states have pro-life governors and in 15 states both houses of their legislatures are pro-life.
The Guttmacher Institute’s public policy associate called it a “free-for-all” against abortion. And she said, “I’ve been doing this for almost 12 years now, so I feel like I have some historical sense. This year is just unlike any other year we’ve seen before.”
Excellent News for the Pro-Life Cause
This is great news. This can only mean that the representatives and senators in many, many states are willing to consider restrictions and prohibitions relating to abortion.
Sixty-one bills in 25 states are focused on prohibiting health insurance coverage for abortion. Kansas and Idaho have joined Nebraska in banning late-term abortions. South Dakota enacted a 72-hour waiting period before an abortion.
New Hope for Ultrasound Laws
Several states have enacted or are considering laws that would require abortion clinics to offer their pregnant clients a chance to see the ultrasound image their unborn baby before getting an abortion.
We know what happens when women see that moving image on the screen, that first picture of their own child. Most cannot choose abortion. They bond with the baby in the picture.
Planned Parenthood’s Funding in Jeopardy
In Arizona, Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill banning state tax credits for donations to Planned Parenthood. The national effort to defund Planned Parenthood dominated headlines for weeks during the budget battle in Washington.
It didn’t pass in the senate this time, but it got closer than anyone would have predicted, and Planned Parenthood is engaged in a major public relations and advertising campaign to try to undo the damage the whole debate has done to its image. Life Decisions International reports that several major corporations have ceased donations to Planned Parenthood in recent months.
New Legislation Reflects Public Opinion
Lila Rose, president of Live Action, says the trend to restrict abortion at the state level “reflects the growing change in public opinion.”
Many of the new laws will be challenged by Planned Parenthood, NARAL and the ACLU. Some are surely headed for the U. S. Supreme Court. While the make-up of the Supreme Court is certainly not overwhelmingly pro-life, the justices do tend to consider the bias of the electorate. The 2010 election revealed a strong and growing pro-life constituency.
Between pro-life street activism and pro-life political activism, the public is gradually becoming more educated on what abortion is and they don’t like it. They want at least some restrictions. We’ll keep up the pressure until they want no abortion at all.
