March for Life

The Supreme Court’s Summer Term: Life Impacting Cases

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The Supreme Court’s Summer Term: Life Impacting Cases

THIS SUMMER: The Supreme Court of the United States released 3 decisions that are particularly relevant to us as we seek to protect unborn lives from the horrific reality of abortion. 

Case #1: On June 13, 2024, the Supreme Court released a decision in Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine,  deciding that that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would not have to reinstate critical safeguards for abortion drugs. It is important to note that the decision was procedural in nature, and not decided on the merits. But in this instance, the Court found the Plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory actions regarding the abortion drug, mifepristone.

For context, in 2016, the FDA retracted one of its safeguards that prevented chemical abortions after 7 weeks, allowing women to take these drugs up to 10 weeks gestation. In addition, in 2021, the FDA recklessly removed a safeguard that required women take these drugs with in-person care, thereby leaving more women to take these drugs alone.  

The FDA’s own label notes that about 1 in 25 women who take these drugs go to the emergency room, experiencing complications such as hemorrhaging and infection.  

Because of the reckless removal of these chemical abortion drugs, doctors asked the Supreme Court to reinstate these necessary safeguards in order to better protect women from life-threating complications.  

Just in June, the Supreme Court decided that the FDA does not have to reinstate these important protections as the court found the Plaintiffs/doctors had no standing to challenge the FDA’s regulatory actions.  However we are encouraged that the Court did  find that ‘[f]ederal law fully protects doctors against being required to provide abortions or other medical treatment against their consciences.’”  

Ultimately, we are disappointed by this decision as this will cause more women to take dangerous chemical drugs without the in-person care of a doctor and will continue to end unborn lives, the very lives we seek to protect. But we are confident that it increased awareness on the dangers of abortion drugs and further proved we must continue to fight for life.  

Case #2: In Moyle v. United States of America, the Biden/Harris administration sued Idaho to override their Defense of Life Act, a law aiming to protect unborn lives. 

The Biden/Harris administration initiated the lawsuit, alleging that the federal law, Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), requires doctors to perform abortion in order to ensure people receive ample care in emergency situations in accordance with EMTALA.  EMTALA requires hospitals that accept Medicare to determine if the person has an “emergency medical condition” through providing “an appropriate medical screening examination within the capability of the hospital’s emergency department.” EMTALA explicitly accounts for the health of both the mother and her “unborn child” throughout the text. If it is determined that an emergency medical condition is present, under EMTALA, the hospital must either treat them or transfer them to another facility that can provide the necessary care. 

Therefore, the Idaho law does not conflict with EMTALA, as it ensures that both mom and baby’s health are prioritized. The Idaho law protects unborn children from abortions that are not critical to saving the life of the mother and would not stop treatment for miscarriage management, ectopic pregnancy, etc.  Doctors under EMTALA and Idaho’s law can treat both mom and baby, relying on good-faith medical judgment to care for both. 

EMTALA should not be distorted as a tool to push abortion access, but the Biden/Harris administration argued that their pro-abortion interpretation of EMTALA should reign supreme. On June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court decided to send the case back to the 9th Circuit for further consideration, asserting that the case should not have reached the Supreme Court.  

We hope the 9th Circuit will recognize the Biden/Harris Administration’s radical misstep and preserve Idaho’s ability to protect the life of both mom and baby.  Americans should be able protect the lives of women and their unborn children without fear of the government pushing an unjust pro-abortion agenda.  

Case #3: In Loper Bright v. Raimondo, Atlantic Herring faced an unfair financial burden placed upon them by a federal regulatory agency, leading them to initiate the lawsuit to highlight the agency’s overreach. 

Plaintiffs argued that regulatory agencies should not have as much power to determine how laws are carried out if not clearly outlined by the law, taking aim at agencies that would seek to mandate according to their understanding and political agenda. 

On June 28, the Supreme Court decided that the regulatory state cannot enforce unreasonable regulations outside of their designated authority, thereby overturning “Chevron deference”—a doctrine that granted agencies the ability to interpret statutes. Courts now rightfully have the responsibility to determine whether an agency has overstepped in its interpretation of a law instead of allowing agencies to exercise unconstitutional authority and overreach in its implementation of a statute. 

This decision will help prevent pro-abortion unelected bureaucrats from using agencies as a mechanism to push the abortion agenda in ways not explicitly designated by Congress.   

A recent example of this agency overreach was seen in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) rule to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The EEOC interpreted the PWFA to mandate that private employers must provide “reasonable accommodations” for elective abortions, which was contrary to clear legislative intent, and the plain meaning of the statutory text is an example of the an administration distorting existing laws to push their own agenda. 

We are grateful for this decision as federal agencies will now be held accountable for abusing their power to push anti-life policies and principles.   

As the Summer draws to a close, we thank you for your partnership as we continue to educate fellow Americans on the need to protect life, whether it be before Congress or the Supreme Court of the United States.  

 

 

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On the anniversary of Dobbs, we must continue the fight for life

(WASHINGTON EXAMINER) — As we celebrate the second anniversary of the landmark Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, I find myself reflecting on the history of the pro-life movement while also dreaming of the future ahead.

Despite years of hard work and dedication, many people believed that Roe v. Wade would never be overturned. But by remaining focused on our goal to protect life at all stages, the pro-life movement witnessed the end of a precedent that had darkened our nation for 50 years.

As we know, with such a monumental victory comes great change and, of course, new challenges. Fortunately, the pro-life community is equipped with all the necessary resources.

Perhaps the biggest challenge confronting our movement is ensuring that women facing unexpected pregnancies know they are loved, they are strong, and there are resources available to them so that they do not have to walk alone.

Tragically, the vast majority of women who chose abortion say they would have preferred to parent if they had received requisite emotional and financial support. Nearly 70% say their abortions were coerced, unwanted, or inconsistent with their preferences.

They were repeatedly told the lie that they had to choose between their child and their happiness and fulfillment. There is so much more in store for these women.

For decades, the pro-life community has empowered women in these difficult circumstances by serving as a source of refuge, solace, and hope. Since Roe was overturned two years ago, these efforts to encourage women have only grown. A nationwide network of over 3,000 pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes exists to provide round-the-clock care and support to pregnant women, no matter their situation, background, or story.

These centers and homes are changing lives. In 2022 alone, they served nearly 975,000 women with approximately $358 million in free services, including ultrasounds and pregnancy tests, as well as physical and emotional resources such as diapers, food, formula, financial aid, counseling, and so much more.

Yet just as important as the physical items provided by these centers are the simple gifts of unconditional love and support they offer. In crisis circumstances, women need to hear that they are strong and capable. They need to hear that they can be great mothers while simultaneously reaching for greatness in all their hopes and dreams. Pregnancy resource center staff assure these women they are not alone in their journeys.

Through the selfless hard work of pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes across the country and the devoted support they receive from pro-lifers in their communities, it is clear the pro-life movement stands with every woman and for every child.

Sadly, pro-abortion politicians are on the opposite track with a profoundly anti-woman mission that seeks to slash the direct support offered to mothers by these charitable organizations. Across the country, pregnancy resource centers have faced threats, vandalism, and political persecution simply because of their efforts to defend the lives of both women and unborn children.

Abortion activists are seeking to eliminate these centers, striking at the heart of women’s health and well-being while contributing to pro-abortion legislators’ broader plan of imposing the nation’s most radical abortion agenda upon all people. Both President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have announced intentions to eliminate the filibuster if Biden is reelected in order to enshrine on-demand abortion through all nine months of pregnancy into federal law. Meanwhile, numerous efforts are underway to amend state constitutions so they, too, enshrine access to unrestricted elective abortion while also abolishing state pro-life laws.

How incomprehensible it is that abortion is being sold as the catch-all “solution” to the challenges women face. Today, abortions are tragically occurring throughout all nine months of pregnancy. In fact, more than 55,000 abortions occur annually at or after 15 weeks gestation, past the point at which babies can feel pain. Pro-abortion members of Congress oppose any protections for these children.

It is imperative that we continue to fight against this unprecedented extremism in defense of the most vulnerable among us. In this quest for life, we must remain hopeful for what lies ahead, especially considering that a majority of people oppose abortion extremism and instead believe in offering tangible support and resources to women in need.

It took half a century of dedicated and passionate marching before the victorious overturn of Roe v. Wade. If it takes another 50 years to live in a nation in which innocent life is cherished and protected at all stages, then we will face each day, each battle, and each year with the same love embodied by those who came before us.

Let the Dobbs decision be a reminder of the glorious things we can achieve when the pro-life community is united and determined in the fight for life. The torch has been passed to us, and it is up to us to ensure it continues to burn with more light for the next 50 years and beyond.

(Originally published in Washington Examiner)

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The world’s toughest, yet most rewarding job: Moms are heroes

(FOX NEWS) — A few years back, I watched a powerful video.

A company interviewed potential employees for a “Director of Operations” position. The job responsibilities included constant work on their feet (even overnight) and excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills.

The company was seeking someone with degrees in medicine, finance and the culinary arts. The shocked interviewees soon lost interest in the role when they were told there would be no compensation for the job, no breaks and no vacation days. The work was 24/7, 365 days a year. In fact, on holidays the employee’s workload would increase and it was required to be done in a cheerful disposition.

It turned out that the job posting was fake. The job description was that of being a Mom.

The interviewees quickly agreed that being a mom is the most challenging yet rewarding job in the world. This message is needed now more than ever in a world that so often takes mothers for granted.

People may think “moms don’t have a real job” or assume that their work requires no special talent or skills. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Mothers across the world and for all time have worked tirelessly to ensure that her child feels loved and taken care of, and that her child will live a life better than she did.

This Mother’s Day, I want to highlight the strength of three mothers who have inspired me during my time in the pro-life movement. 

Rose was diagnosed with endometriosis and told she could never have kids. As she was grieving this news with her husband, a young woman nearby named Elizabeth was grieving for a different reason. Elizabeth just found out she was pregnant, but she was unmarried and terrified to raise a child on her own.

By the grace of God, the two women met and formed a deep, trust-filled relationship. Soon, Elizabeth would entrust Rose and her husband with adopting her baby. Their daughter, Maria Elizabeth grew up in a loving household, even having a strong relationship with her birth mom.

Later, Rose and her husband adopted another little one named Joe. Maria is now a 24-year-old, ninth-grade algebra teacher in Georgia, and 19-year-old Joe is working as a plumbing apprentice and personal trainer.

Rose and Elizabeth chose motherhood in different but equally beautiful ways, and their lives show how the choice for adoption rather than abortion can produce more joy and love than anyone ever imagined.

When Beverly was 18 weeks pregnant with her and her husband’s ninth child, she got a call that turned their lives upside down. Their child was diagnosed with “Trisomy 18,” a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis.

She was told by her doctor that her baby would be a “drain on [her] family” if she lived at all. Still, she decided to love her baby girl, no matter what conditions she may have. Her beautiful daughter, Verity, is now 7 years old and her family’s “most precious blessing.”

Beverly recently said, “True love puts others first. It requires self-sacrifice, not self-interest. True love invites us to serve others, especially the most marginalized and helpless in society. This is our calling, and yes, it sometimes involves hardship.”

 In Beverly, I see the unfathomable love and sacrifice characteristic of mothers across the world… no matter their child’s ability.

Francesca’s path to jail began at a young age. She was addicted to drugs and had been abused in her marriage. After losing custody of her four children, she despaired and spent the next 17 months of her life stealing cars and drugs for a living.

One day after being robbed at gunpoint, she decided to quit this hopeless lifestyle. She turned herself into the local jail where she served 10 months.

Soon after being released from jail, Francesca sat awaiting her psychiatric drug prescription. She was shocked when the doctor instead sent her home with prenatal vitamins. The child’s father was her former drug dealer.

Francesca turned in desperation to a local maternity home where she found love, support and hope. She stayed at that maternity home for two years and during that time turned her life around. She is now a thriving mom to her son, Brandon and found her calling as a manager at a mechanic shop.

It’s incredible what can happen when we invest in women and love them, no matter their circumstances. Francesca’s story makes it clear that motherhood empowers women to overcome deep brokenness and suffering and realize their dreams.

As these stories highlight, motherhood can look different for every woman, but one thing stands out among all moms: Women are incredible, and when we encourage and empower them in their motherhood, even in the most difficult situations, they become the world’s greatest heroes.

This Mother’s Day let’s all celebrate moms for all they do. A mother’s job never stops, and far too often their work goes unnoticed. No matter the circumstances of her motherhood, she is needed and loved by her child in a unique and beautiful way.

Moms deserve to be honored and celebrated today and every day for the heroes they are.

(Originally published in Fox News)

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‘Leave it to the states’ won’t work: Why we need a federal abortion law

(THE HILL) — Over the last few weeks, we have seen intense debate reignite over the role the federal government plays in limiting abortion. The backdrop to such debates is the upcoming presidential election, as well as the cultural reverberations around the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.

There has been some confusion about the Dobbs decision. It did not simply “return abortion to the states.” Rather, it returned the power to protect the unborn to the voters, who can exercise this power through both their state and federal elected officials.

The Dobbs decision empowers states to enact pro-life laws that cover the period before viability — that is, approximately 22 weeks into a pregnancy or earlier. Under the Roe regime, states were not able to enforce such laws. Thankfully, many states have now implemented life-protective laws since the decision came down. To date, 24 states protect women and unborn children prior to viability. (Three of these are currently in litigation.)

Of course, the reverse is also sadly true. Twenty-six states currently have few or no protections for unborn babies, even at the stages where their hearts are beating, where they suck their thumbs or where they can feel pain. Seven of these states, along with Washington, D.C., have virtually no limits on abortion — not even a prohibition on painful dismemberment abortions.

This is why the U.S. must enact some form of a federal limit that protects unborn children nationwide. Otherwise, we continue on our deadly path, where over half of the country is exposed to the harms of abortion, and the human rights of the unborn are ignored.

It can be hard to comprehend that the most developed country in the world, the U.S., permits late term abortion in more than half of our states, even though 65 percent of Americans consistently believe that abortion should be illegal at least after the first trimester (about 12 weeks), and 80 percent believe that it should be illegal after the second trimester (about 24 weeks).

Our nation is in shameful company with its lack of protections for the unborn. Only seven other countries allow late-term abortions, including some of the worst international violators of human rights such as China and North Korea.  In comparison, 47 out of 50 European countries have stronger protections for the unborn, limiting elective abortion to 15 weeks’ gestation or earlier.

Even pro-choice Americans know that a seven-pound baby, almost fully formed, who has not yet been born, deserves the right to live. But the law does not reflect this reality.

(Originally published in The Hill)

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March for Life President: There remains an urgent need to advocate for the unborn at the federal level

“Make no mistake, there remains an urgent need to advocate for the unborn at the federal level which is one of the reasons we continue to march annually in our nation’s capital even after the Dobbs decision. Pro-abortion politicians relentlessly work to enact federal legislation like the deceptively titled Women’s Health Protection Act which would cancel every states’ ability to limit abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, and erases existing pro-life protections for vulnerable women and children nationwide. If they have their way, the whole nation will go the way of the seven states and Washington, D.C. that already allow abortion for any reason, at any time during pregnancy. The overwhelming majority of European nations reject such barbaric policies with minimum protections for children after the first trimester. We as a nation need to work toward federal minimum protections for the unborn, and advocate for policies that support pregnant women and families in need.” – Jeanne Mancini, March for Life President