On Thursday, 19 January, a number of individuals who were not typically seen on Capitol Hill arrived, prompting a number of perplexed reactions. The mothers, accompanied by their infants, entered the offices of United States Senators and Representatives from both the Democratic and Republican parties, accompanied by their respective strollers and diaper bags.
At the most recent Babies Go to Congress event, Kylie, Danielle, and Evalynn courageously shared their personal experiences of how pregnancy centres and maternity homes provided support to them before, during, and after the birth of their children.
In a statement to a roomful of reporters and other visitors gathered on Capitol Hill after the morning’s meetings, Evalynn described the current situation as a “Esther moment”. “This is our opportunity to disseminate information about our experiences and the merits of pregnancy assistance.”
A project of Heartbeat International, Babies Go to Congress is an initiative designed to enhance the awareness and knowledge of federal lawmakers regarding pregnancy help organisations in the United States. These meetings may be held directly with Senators and Representatives, although they are more commonly conducted with legislative aides.
These congressional staffers, who can become desensitised to the numerous visitors in suits and ties who advocate for legislation and share opinions, were invigorated by the sight of these enthusiastic young guests.
“It is always possible to make time for a constituent as appealing as this one,” an aide to Texas Senator Ted Cruz observed of the unconventional visitors to the Senator’s office.
The response observed in each office was consistent, with staff members promptly ceasing their activities to engage in conversation with the families in question.
The meetings, which commenced with a general curiosity regarding the reason for the presence of babies in government buildings, swiftly evolved into a profound concern and attentiveness to the significance of pregnancy assistance.
While it is one thing to hear accounts of women making the choice to continue their pregnancies, it is a different matter entirely to engage in direct dialogue with these women and their children, where personal questions can be posed and the narratives become tangible individuals.
Evalynn from Ohio conveyed her concerns to the offices of Representatives Warren Davidson and Mike Turner, as well as to Senators. Warren Davidson and Mike Turner, along with Sens. She informed J.D. Vance and Sherrod Brown that she had contacted a local centre after discovering she was pregnant, as they offered her free ultrasounds. After observing her unborn child through ultrasounds and being reassured that the centre would provide comprehensive support throughout her pregnancy, Evalynn opted for life for her son.
She was awarded a scholarship from the institution and proceeded to complete her undergraduate degree. Subsequently, Evalynn entered into a marriage with a man who has since become the non-biological but loving father of her son. In the process, she also embraced Christianity and attributes the volunteers at the centre for her “180-degree life change.”
Evalynn stated that she was unaware that by choosing life for her son, she was also choosing life for herself.
Danielle, accompanied by her 10-year-old daughter, undertook a journey from Virginia to engage with the offices of Rep. Bob Good and Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner.
She resided in a Virginia maternity home for a period of five years, during which time she raised her daughter, accumulated experience, and served the home and the women who lived there. Danielle has now been living independently for five years, attributing this to the care and support she received from the maternity home.
Kylie and her one-year-old daughter Zoe from Texas met with the offices of Rep. Pat Fallon and Sens. Cruz and John Cornyn were also in attendance.
In the company of her infant daughter, Kylie recounted the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy. She revealed that her family had been unsupportive of her decision to have another child and had pressured her to undergo an abortion when she became pregnant with Zoe.
She asserted that she was aware that she was obliged to give birth to this child, yet she felt that she lacked the capacity to do so independently.
Consequently, she contacted a local pregnancy centre, which arranged for her to attend a session where she could learn about the resources that were available to her. Kylie experienced a sense of family and community that was similar to that of Evalynn and Danielle, which empowered her to choose life.
Despite the challenges that have been encountered, Kylie has never regretted her decision. “It is difficult to imagine a scenario in which one could view this image and conclude that the decision was not the correct one.”
The staff member, visibly affected by the narrative, leaned back and commented, “It is truly remarkable to learn that pregnancy assistance offers such comprehensive services, particularly in our hometown.”
Heartbeat International has been hosting Babies Go to Congress for over a decade, due to the intrinsic value of these meetings.
Increased awareness of the availability of pregnancy assistance services will result in more mothers and children receiving the resources they require at the most opportune moment.
As observed by Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International, politicians are known to pause and engage in dialogue when they encounter strollers.
In this instance, it can be demonstrated that when politicians cease to be passive listeners, lives are saved.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Pregnancy Help News, a publication managed by Heartbeat International. The content has been reposted with the author’s permission.
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
