1.The March for Life goes on in the face of historic DC blizzard: Despite many buses being forced to turn around to avoid the impending blizzard heading for the nation’s capital, there was still a strong and dedicated showing pro-life support on the streets of Washington for the 2016 March for Life. It’s clear that no amount of snow or bad weather can shake the commitment of the pro-life grassroots!
2. Four states enact a ban on dismemberment abortions: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Virginia joined a growing number of states in banning the horrific dismemberment abortion method. These laws not only protect unborn babies but serve to educate the public about the brutality of abortion. Read more about dismemberment abortions.
3. Ohio, South Carolina, and South Dakota join 12 other states in passing the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act: This important legislation extends legal protection to unborn children 20 weeks and older. Substantial medical and scientific evidence shows that by this stage, if not earlier, babies are capable of experiencing pain.
4.. Other state legislative victories included Oklahoma passing the pro-education Humanity of the Unborn Child Act, Georgia passing positive alternatives legislation, Indiana passing a ban on selective abortions based on sex or disability, and Louisiana increasing their waiting period from 24 hours to 72 hours.
5. The 40th Anniversary of the Hyde Amendment: First enacted in 1976, the Hyde Amendment has saved an estimated 2 million lives from abortion. This annual appropriations amendment stops taxpayer dollars from being used to fund most abortions and abortion coverage through government programs like Medicaid.
6. Pro-Life candidates triumph in 2016 elections: Up and down the ballot, pro-life candidates scored impressive victories.
7. Hillary Clinton forced to defend late abortions during presidential debate: During the final presidential debate, moderator Chris Wallace brought up the topic of abortion. In a moment that was even cringe worthy for Democrats, Clinton reaffirmed her support for the partial-birth abortion method and abortions throughout all nine months of pregnancy. By contrast, Trump said, “I am pro-life, and I will be appointing pro-life judges.”
8. Planned Parenthood and EMILY’s List spend big and lose big in the 2016 elections: Millions upon millions of dollars were spent by the political arm of the nation’s largest abortion provider and by EMILY’s List, a radical pro-abortion PAC that only backs female Democrats who support abortion without limits. Planned Parenthood alone spent at least $38 million in the elections.
9. Pro-Life selections announced for key cabinet positions: The incoming Administration has announced the selection of several pro-life champions for key roles. These include Rep. Tom Price for HHS Secretary, Sen. Jeff Sessions for Attorney General, Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary, Gov. Nikki Haley for U.N. Ambassador, and Kellyanne Conway as Counselor to the President.
10. Doritos Super Bowl commercial highlights humanity of unborn children, provokes outrageous meltdown from abortion advocates: NARAL Pro-Choice America lost it on social media during the Super Bowl when a Doritos ad featured an unborn baby on an ultrasound. They trashed the ad for “humanizing fetuses,” further exposing how out of touch the pro-abortion movement really is.
11. U.S. House and Senate send filibuster-proof reconciliation bill to President Obama’s desk that would have defunded Planned Parenthood: Despite President Obama’s veto, the move set a precedent for advancing such a bill under a new president, without 60 votes in the U.S. Senate.
12. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell holds the line and prevents the appointment of pro-abortion Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court: By holding off a Senate vote on Obama’s Supreme Court pick, McConnell injected the issue of the Supreme Court into the 2016 elections, an issue which helped mobilize many pro-life voters. Now, the vacancy left by the late Antonin Scalia will be filled by someone chosen by the President-elect, who repeatedly promised to appoint someone who reflects Scalia’s judicial philosophy.
13. Pro-Life traitor Rep. Renee Ellmers (NC-02) defeated in GOP Primary: There were many electoral triumphs for the pro-life movement in 2016 but the defeat of Rep. Renee Ellmers was particularly symbolic. In early 2015, Ellmers launched an extended public campaign against the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Although the bill ultimately passed the House, the delay and damage inflicted by Rep. Ellmers diminished its chances in the Senate, where pro-abortion senators were able to organize a successful filibuster to prevent the ban from advancing despite the support of a majority of senators. “There is no member of Congress in recent memory who did greater harm to a major piece of pro-life legislation, while claiming to be pro-life, than Renee Ellmers,” said Douglas Johnson, Director of Federal Legislation for National Right to Life.
14. Latest CDC report shows a 5% decline in abortions nationwide: The latest numbers from the CDC are confirmation that America is moving, perhaps even accelerating, towards a culture more hospitable to unborn life. Read the report from NRLC’s Dr. Randall K. O’Bannon.
15. Pro-Life advocates shine light on the tragic legacy of Planned Parenthood on its 100th birthday: In 2016, Planned Parenthood celebrated 100 years since its founding. While it celebrated a birthday, there were millions unable to celebrate birthdays due to abortion.
16. House Select Panel on Infant Lives investigates harvesting and trafficking of baby body parts, highlights importance of protecting born-alive abortion survivors: Testifying before the panel in April, Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, the prime sponsor of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, hit the nail on the head when he noted, “Here, on this basic reality, we can and must find agreement: Babies are not the sum of their body parts. Babies are not meant to be bought. Babies are not meant to be sold. Babies are just that—babies. They’re meant to be welcomed and rejoiced over, held and nurtured.”
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.
