The year 2023 has demonstrated the crucial role of resilience in the pro-life movement.
In the US state of Pennsylvania, the Democratic Governor, Josh Shapiro, has announced the termination of the state’s contract with Real Alternatives, which has managed Pennsylvania’s award-winning Pregnancy and Parenting Support Services programme for 28 years. The August announcement provoked a profound sense of dismay among those aligned with the pro-life movement, given that the programme had successfully served over 350,000 women over the course of its decades-long operation.
Advocates for pregnant women sent thousands of messages to their state lawmakers, urging them to find a way to salvage the programme, which has become a model for the rest of the nation. In the absence of state funding, Real Alternatives is now transforming the programme into a privately funded entity.
Additionally, the state of Pennsylvania witnessed the enactment of a legislative measure that could be designated as the “Abortionist Protection Act.” The legislation would permit Pennsylvania abortionists who perform abortions in other states in a manner that contravenes the relevant standards to evade accountability. It is alarming that a dozen Republicans who had previously been considered pro-life voted for this abhorrent bill. Fortunately, the Pennsylvania Senate, led by Senators who are staunch advocates for life, can prevent the measure from becoming law.
In the current legislative session, pro-abortion Democratic lawmakers have introduced House Bill 803, a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand abortion rights. The bill was referred to the Health Committee by the House leaders. It would appear that this approach was not entirely satisfactory, as pro-abortion legislators proceeded to introduce House Bill 1888, which contained the same wording as HB 803. However, this bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee, where the previously mentioned Abortion Protection Act had been passed.
It is irrelevant whether the number is altered or the committee to which it is referred, the proposed constitutional amendment is an unfavourable piece of legislation. Such a bill would effectively result in taxpayer funding of abortion across the board. Furthermore, the proposed legislation would remove crucial protections, including informed consent, parental consent, and mandatory 24-hour waiting periods for abortion. Furthermore, the proposed legislation would permit abortion up to the moment of birth, which would have particularly gruesome implications.
Nevertheless, the pro-life movement in Pennsylvania persists as a dynamic, resilient, and committed force.
I am eagerly awaiting the unfolding of events in 2024.
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.
