Life Advocacy Briefing
December 9, 2024
Question of the Week / True Justice Overdue / A Project for You
The Fight Is On in Kentucky / Pro-Life Victory at U.N.
A ‘Life’ Analysis of the Election Results
Outstanding Choice! / Senate Voting Record
Question of the Week
HOW MANY ABORTIONISTS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED under the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban, enacted in 2003? Answer: Not one that we have been able to find in news reports, though the practice continues, according to reports about the harvesting of baby body parts for “research.”
True Justice Overdue
REP. CHIP ROY (R-TX) IS REPORTEDLY PRESSING FOR A VOTE before this Congress adjourns in January on his HR-5577, which would repeal the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE), which has been used fanatically by the FBI and the Justice Department in the Biden Administration to quell interventions at abortuaries.
When the Act was passed at the behest of the abortion cartel, Members of Congress were told it would protect access both to abortuaries and to pregnancy care centers. That has not panned out. Prosecutions are totally selective under the FACE Act, limited to dragging off peaceful pro-life intervenors seeking to rescue the babies targeted by America’s abortion cartel and to shield their mothers from a life of regret and shame.
Below our readers can find a listing of the names and addresses of some of those American heroes who spent Thanksgiving in a prison cell and are likely to spend Christmas there as well, waiting for hoped-for pardons from incoming President Donald Trump. It’s under the headline “A Project for You,” and we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to bring encouragement to those who have stood for Life in a most sacrificial way.
We encourage our readers also to contact your Member of Congress and thank those co-sponsoring HR-5577 or request others to co-sponsor and vote for this rescue of the merciful. We are confident that Rep. Roy and others will make repeal of the FACE Act a priority in the next Congress if it is not achieved before January. A call to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) would also be helpful. [Capitol switchboard: 202-225-3121]
Co-sponsors of HR-5577 with Rep. Roy are GOP Representatives Barry Moore (AL); Andy Biggs, Eli Crane, Paul Gosar & Debbie Lesko (AZ); Doug LaMalfa (CA); Ken Buck & Doug Lamborn (CO); Anna Paulina Luna, John Rutherford, Greg Steube & Daniel Webster (FL); Andrew Clyde, Mike Collins & Marjorie Green (GA); Russ Fulcher (ID); Mary Miller (IL); Jim Banks (IN); Thomas Massie (KY); Clay Higgins (LA); Pete Stauber (MN); Eric Burlison (MO); Matt Rosendale (MT); Adrian Smith (NE); Chris Smith (NJ); Nicholas Langworthy (NY); David Rouzer (NC); Warren Davidson (OH); Josh Brecheen (OK); Jeff Duncan & William Timmons (SC); Mark Green, Diana Harshbarger & Andrew Ogles (TN); Brian Babin, Michael Burgess, Michael Cloud, Dan Crenshaw, Lance Gooden, Nathaniel Moran, August Pfluger & Keith Self (TX); Burgess Owens (UT); Ben Cline & Bob Good (VA); Alex Mooney (WV).
A Project for You
IF YOU WERE AMONG THE PRO-LIFE RESCUERS who have been imprisoned by the Biden Justice Dept. under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE), would you be encouraged by receiving a note from a fellow pro-life American? We list here the addresses of those who have indicated they would welcome mail, according to LifeSiteNews. Cards are not acceptable in some of these prisons, and enclosures are not appropriate; tight rules require plain white (lined or unlined) paper with white envelopes. The message can be typed or handwritten, and you should include your name and address on both the envelope and the letter.
JOHN HINSHAW
Register #93685-509
FMC Devens
Federal Medical Center
PO Box 879
Ayer, MA 01432
JONATHAN DARNEL
93647-509
FCI Thomson
Federal Correctional Institution
PO Box 1002
Thomson, IL 61285
WILLIAM GOODMAN
93822-509
FCI Danbury
Federal Correction Institution
Route 37
Danbury, CT 06811
LAUREN HANDY
93984-007
FCI Tallahassee
Federal Correction Institution
PO Box 5000
Tallahassee, FL 32314
HEATHER IDONI
Livingston County Jail
150 S. Highlander Way
Howell, MI 48843
JEAN MARSHALL
93609-509
FCI Danbury
Federal Correctional Institution
Route 37
Danbury, CT 06811
The Fight Is On in Kentucky
THE FIGHT FOR ‘LIFE’ IS UNFOLDING IN A KENTUCKY COURTROOM, where oral arguments began in late November in the ACLU’s challenge to the state’s comprehensive abortion ban.
The state’s Human Life Protection Act, notes Calvin Freiburger for LifeSiteNews, “criminalizes all abortions except those deemed ‘necessary’ to save the life of the mother. Since taking effect [in 2022], it has prevented nearly all abortions in the state.”
The leftwing American Civil Liberties Union, in its challenge to the law, “calls abortion ‘a critical component of reproductive health care and crucial to the ability of Kentuckians to control their lives,’” Mr. Freiburger reports.
We will ask again a question we posed to our readers a few weeks ago: What is reproductive about abortion?
Said David Walls, executive director of Kentucky’s The Family Foundation, quoted by LifeSiteNews, “‘The ACLU’s suggestion that the Kentucky Constitution somehow secretly contains a hidden right to terminate the life and stop the beating heart of an unborn human being, despite Kentucky’s clear 150-year pro-life history, is absolutely absurd.’”
Pro-Life Victory at U.N.
DETERMINED DELEGATES FROM AFRICA scored a huge victory at the United Nations in late November, succeeding in stripping “a reference to ‘reproductive health’ in the final draft of a resolution on the family,” reports Stefano Gennarini for the Center for Family & Human Rights (C-Fam).
“Work behind the scenes from Burundi and other delegations from Africa,” notes Dr. Gennarini, “ensured the removal of the term and a unanimous adoption. Powerful Western countries howled and accused traditional delegations of acting in bad faith, but ended up joining the resolution, nonetheless.”
The resolution marked the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family. Previous such resolutions “had never included abortion-related terms before,” but this year’s, which emerged in October, notes Dr. Gennarini, “contained the pro-abortion term ‘reproductive health.’”
Nigeria’s delegate called the final version of the resolution “a ‘milestone achievement,’” writes Dr. Gennarini, “describing Nigeria’s commitment to the ‘sanctity of the family … [as] the building block of civilization.’” And the C-Fam report cites praise for the resolution from Egypt and even from Russia.
A ‘Life’ Analysis of the Election Results
Nov. 14, 2024, Commentary by Life Issues Institute president Brad Mattes
A close analysis of abortion’s impact on the 2024 election demonstrates that it was far less effective for Democrats than they hoped. Kamala Harris ran a single-issue campaign of unrestrained abortion until birth. During one campaign rally, she actually paraded 10 abortionists onto the stage. Next to her passion of ending the lives of unborn babies was her seething hatred of Donald Trump.
Political pundits and high-priced consultants counseled Harris to view abortion as Trump’s Achilles heel, particularly with women. Mr. Trump proved them wrong by gaining the support of a majority of white women and making inroads with black and Hispanic women.
Abortion’s impact reached well beyond the Presidential race. Here’s a snapshot of how pro-life candidates fared on both the federal and state levels.
Pro-life US Senate candidates defeated pro-abortion incumbents:
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Montana’s outspoken pro-life candidate Tim Sheehy defeated pro-abortion Democrat Jon Tester.
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Ohio’s pro-life challenger Bernie Moreno beat incumbent Sherrod Brown, a solidly pro-abortion Democrat.
On the other side of the coin, three US Senate candidates who embraced abortion lost:
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Bob Casey Jr., a Democrat incumbent from Pennsylvania.
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Kari Lake, a Republican vying for an open seat in Arizona.
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Larry Hogan, a former popular Republican governor of Maryland.
It’s particularly satisfying to see candidates who previously advocated for the protection of America’s unborn children lose after turning their backs on defenseless babies. Two such candidates were Bob Casey Jr. and Kari Lake.
Pro-lifers prevailed in the US House of Representatives:
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Democrats hoped to flip a pro-life Republican seat in New York’s 17th Congressional District, but incumbent Mike Lawler defeated pro-abortion challenger Mondaire Jones.
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The open seat in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, previously held by a Democrat, went to State Sen. Tom Barrett, an outspoken pro-life Republican over pro-abortion Democrat Curtis Hertel.
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Pro-abortion pundits claim white pro-life men are an endangered species due to the mistaken assumption that the abortion issue favors pro-abortion women. In Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, pro-life Republican Ryan Mackenzie (white male) defeated pro-abortion Democrat incumbent Susan Wild (woman), flipping this race to Republican.
The abortion issue benefited pro-life state candidates:
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The South Carolina Citizens for Life Action PAC endorsed 16 pro-life candidates for the State Senate, and 13 won. Their pro-life majorities grew in both the State House and Senate.
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Minnesota experienced the beginning of a pro-life comeback. Two successful pro-life State House candidates broke the extremists’ “trifecta” – control of the House, Senate and Governor’s mansion. Until now, pro-abortion extremists had total control of the state legislature, reflected in legislation legalizing abortion until birth and infanticide for babies who survive late-term abortions.
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The West Virginians for Life PAC endorsed in 113 races, and 95% of them won. And here’s a first: Voters passed Amendment 1, which “proactively protects all its citizens and healthcare institutions from the dangerous trend of assisted suicide by a state constitutional amendment.”
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Oregon is a tough state to advance the pro-life cause; however, 60% of Oregon Right to Life PAC’s endorsed candidates won. These victories succeeded in ending a pro-abortion supermajority in the state legislature.
Ten states faced pro-abortion amendments. Here’s how they fared:
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Amendments in five states actually mirrored the legislative status quo. This was more grandstanding than achieving pro-abortion gains.
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Pro-lifers prevailed in Florida. And Nebraska not only defeated a pro-abortion amendment, they also passed a pro-life one.
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South Dakota gets an honorable mention for twice defeating pro-abortion amendments since the Dobbs Proponents thought they had an easy target because the state protects all unborn babies from the moment of fertilization with no exceptions.
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Two pro-life states, Missouri and Arizona, suffered severe losses when their amendments passed, undermining any and all pro-life laws such as parental consent and preventing late-term abortions when babies feel pain.
Looking past biased legacy media, abortion largely proved to be a winning issue for pro-life candidates. This should encourage elected officials and future candidates to boldly stand for life.
Outstanding Choice!
Nov. 25, 2024, LifeSiteNews report
Pres. Donald Trump has selected pro-life David Weldon to lead the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, drawing praise from medical freedom advocates and social conservatives.
Dr. David Weldon is a former Florida Congressman, Army veteran and medical doctor. Throughout his time in Congress, he supported pro-life legislation, spoke out in support of Terri Schiavo and advocated for vaccine safety.
Pres. Trump called Dr. Weldon a “respected conservative leader on fiscal and social issues” and mentioned he “worked with the CDC to enact a ban on patents for human embryos,” in a post on Truth Social on Friday.
Weldon’s accomplishments in Congress include the still-in-force Weldon Amendment. It prohibits local, state and federal entities from requiring health insurance plans to cover abortion if they receive taxpayer dollars.
He also wrote the bipartisan “Terri’s Law” to protect Terri Schiavo and her parents in ensuring her right to food and water. Her “estranged husband” and his mistress wanted to remove Schiavo’s feeding tube.
Wesley Smith, a prominent opponent of euthanasia and assisted suicide, explained Weldon’s role in a recent article for National Review. “Terri was never diagnosed as brain dead, which is legally deceased,” Smith confirmed. “She was either in a persistent or minimally conscious condition, which is very much alive. …
“Weldon’s bill was among the most bipartisan laws passed during the George W. Bush Presidency,” he wrote, emphasizing the bipartisan nature. “In the House of Representatives, 45% of the House Democratic caucus who voted supported the bill. It received unanimous consent in the US Senate, including from Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Tom Harkin (who was a prime mover in support of the bill), Harry Reid and Dianne Feinstein, etc. If only one Senator had objected, the bill would have failed, but none did.”
Weldon’s pick earned the praise of Megan Basham, a pro-life reporter for the Daily Wire. “Trump’s pick to head the CDC, Dr. David Weldon, has a strong record of supporting the rights of the unborn and promoting religious conscious rights regarding abortion,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “This goes along with DOGE announcing it will recommend cutting off federal funding to Planned Parenthood and signals from Trump transition team that they plan to appoint pro-lifers to offices high in HHS.” Basham said pro-lifers should continue to push the Trump team.
“Fantastic choice for CDC. Dr. Weldon is the real deal,” Calley Means, a health freedom advocate, wrote on X.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also celebrated the selection of Weldon. “Dave’s leadership at CDC will bring the truth and transparency needed to restore the public’s confidence in this institution,” he wrote. “Welcome aboard.”
Senate Voting Record
Confirmation of Catherine Henry as District Court Judge – Dec. 3, 2024 – Confirmed 50-48 (needing 50) (Democrats in italics)
Voting “no” / pro-life: Britt & Tuberville/AL; Murkowski & Sullivan/AK; Boozman & Cotton/AR; Rubio & Scott/FL; Crapo & Risch/ID; Braun & Young/IN; Ernst & Grassley/IA; Marshall & Moran/KS; McConnell & Paul/KY; Cassidy & Kennedy/LA; Collins/ME; Hyde-Smith & Wicker/MS; Hawley & Schmitt/MO; Daines/MT; Fischer & Ricketts/NE; Budd & Tillis/NC; Cramer & Hoeven/ND; Lankford & Mullin/OK; Graham & Scott/SC; Rounds & Thune/SD; Blackburn & Hagerty/TN; Cornyn & Cruz/TX; Lee & Romney/UT; Capito/WV; Johnson/WI; Barrasso & Lummis/WY.
Voting “yes” / anti-Life: Kelly/AZ; Butler & Padilla/CA; Bennet & Hickenlooper/CO; Blumenthal & Murphy/CT; Carper & Coons/DE; Ossoff & Warnock/GA; Hirono & Schatz/HI; Duckworth & Durbin/IL; King(“I”)/ME; Cardin & VanHollen/MD; Markey & Warren/MA; Peters & Stabenow/MI; Klobuchar & Smith/MN; Tester/MT; Cortez-Masto & Rosen/NV; Hassan & Shaheen/NH; Booker & Helmy/NJ; Heinrich & Lujan/NM; Gillibrand & Schumer/NY; Brown/OH; Merkley & Wyden/OR; Casey & Fetterman/PA; Reed & Whitehouse/RI; Sanders(“I”) & Welch/VT; Kaine & Warner/VA; Cantwell & Murray/WA; Manchin(“I”)/WV; Baldwin/WI.
Not voting: Sinema(“I”)/AZ & Vance/OH.