Life Advocacy Briefing

Senate Primary Raises Questions re Surgeon General Nominee

PRES. TRUMP’s CURRENT NOMINEE FOR SURGEON GENERAL is raising more than eyebrows, as the apparent stalling of her nomination by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) is becoming an issue in the May 16 GOP primary, in which the two-term senator is facing three challengers, including two who are mounting serious campaigns.

Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) is one of those challengers and, notes Mark Ballard for NOLA.com, has been endorsed by Pres. Trump to unseat the sometimes-independently-minded Senator. The three-term Representative has a solid pro-life voting record, as does Sen. Cassidy, but Rep. Letlow’s full-throated advocacy for the pending nominee for US Surgeon General is raising eyebrows.

Sen. Cassidy chairs the committee where the nomination of Casey Means is resting uncomfortably. The chairman, reports Mr. Ballard, “has delayed for six weeks a vote that will decide Means’s fate.” And the longer the nomination lingers, the more questions are arising about the nominee’s views.

“The Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy arm,” writes Mr. Ballard, “informed [Sen.] Cassidy on Monday [April 6] that members of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination have ‘deep concerns’ about Means.

“Specifically, Southern Baptists don’t like that Means refused to condemn the use of abortion-causing pills,” reports Mr. Ballard, “as well as her ‘ongoing experimentation with psilocybin,’ an illegal psychedelic compound found in some mushrooms.

“‘The Surgeon General is the country’s top doctor and a high-profile public health spokesperson,’” stated Rev. Gary Hollingsworth, interim president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, quoted by Mr. Ballard. That commission is a unit of the Southern Baptist church, which in Louisiana is the second largest church denomination, behind only the Roman Catholic church.

The Baptist group was quoted also by Matt Lamb in a report for LifeSiteNews. “The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission arm of the Baptist group,” he writes, “shared its ‘deep concern’ over ‘alarming’ statements made by Means during her confirmation hearing in a letter sent to senators considering her nomination. … Her stance on the sanctity of Life is drawing concerns.

“‘We believe life begins at conception and that all forms of abortion deny precious preborn human beings of their very lives,’ the letter affirmed,” writes Mr. Lamb. “It is not as clear [that] Means shares the same convictions.

“‘In her confirmation hearing, Means skirted questions regarding the chemical abortion pill,’ interim [Baptist commission] president Gary Hollingsworth wrote to senators on the … committee,” Mr. Lamb writes. “‘She declined to provide a clear answer regarding her stance on reinstating even minimal commonsense safety protocols, like in-person dispensing requirements,’ Hollingsworth wrote,” reports LifeSiteNews. “He also criticized her,” writes Mr. Lamb, “for saying that ‘all medications have risks and benefits,’ explaining why she believes abortion drugs should remain available.”

The NOLA.com writer, Mr. Ballard, also quotes a “conservative Internet personality” named Laura Loomer, who he says wrote on X, “that Means ‘prays to inanimate objects, communicates with spirit mediums, uses ’shrooms as “plant medicine” and talks to trees!’” And, he writes, “syndicated talk-radio host Eric Erickson, a native of Jackson, Louisiana, criticized Means’s beliefs that mix mysticism with good nutrition.

“In a 2024 piece entitled ‘Embrace the “WooWoo,” Means described the shrine she erected in her house,” writes Mr. Ballard, “to pray ‘to photos of my ancestors asking for support on my personal journey.’”

Though the chairman’s seeming reticence about scheduling a vote on Casey Means certainly plays a role in the nomination’s apparent stall, it is not the sole hurdle the surgeon general nominee needs to overcome. She “does not appear to have enough support among GOP members” on the Senate committee, writes Mr. Ballard. “With 12 Republicans and 11 Democrats, one GOP member voting ‘no’ would end Means’s chances,” he opines. “Two [committee] Republicans – Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine – expressed doubts about Means’s positions on vaccinating children and her support for illegal psychedelic drugs. A third GOP member was sworn in March 25 and has yet to attend a committee hearing.”

We do not take positions in electoral contests, but when it comes to Sen. Cassidy’s seeming stalling of the nomination of Casey Means, we will cheer, You Go, Senator!

How Many More Must Die?

LOUISIANA-BASED U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE DAVID JOSEPH last Tuesday “refused to block filling prescriptions for the abortion pill mifepristone by mail across the US – at least for now,” reports the Associated Press (AP), “in a setback to Louisiana’s effort to stifle groups that send it into states where abortion is banned.” Judge Joseph is an appointee of President Trump in his first term.

The state’s attorney general, Liz Murrill, had sought an order to “pause … US Food & Drug Administration [FDA] rules that allow mifepristone to be dispensed through the mail,” reports AP, “while a challenge to those 2023 regulations moves through the courts.”

This ruling comes despite the fact that the Comstock Act of 1873 continues in force – though, wrongly, not enforced – a federal law barring the use of the US mail to ship abortifacients. Violation of the Comstock Act is currently one of the most common practices of the cartel whose target is the lives of unborn boys and girls.

The Trump Administration has refused to enforce that law, and the FDA has ignored it in resisting calls for re-examination of the rushed approval of mifepristone in the waning days of the Clinton Regime. Consequently, states are helpless in enforcing their own laws against abortion, and Judge Joseph’s action on April 7 compounds that frustration.

The judge did, though, leave a crack open for future litigation. He directed the FDA, AP reports, “to update him on the status of its investigation [of the drug and its approval] within six months.” And he wrote, notes AP, “‘Should the [FDA] fail to complete its review and make any necessary revisions’ to the rules ‘within a reasonable time frame, the court’s analysis – and the weight accorded to these factors – will inevitably change.’

“He also said,” reports AP, “that he believes the plaintiffs are ‘likely to succeed on the merits,’” leaving the door open to Louisiana’s attorney general to press forward her case.

Louisiana’s AG Liz Murrill, notes AP, “is pursuing criminal cases against two doctors – one each in California and New York – accused of sending pills to patients in Louisiana,” where abortion is illegal. “Those states have not been willing,” reports AP, “to have the doctors extradited to face the charges.

“Joining [AG] Murrill as a plaintiff” in the case before Judge Joseph, “is a Louisiana woman,” writes AP, “who says her boyfriend coerced her into taking mifepristone from a California doctor. Arguments surrounding coercion, particularly when an abusive partner controls a victim’s reproductive care,” writes AP, “became a major theme for the plaintiffs’ legal case. They say without in-person requirements surrounding the abortion pill, intimate partner abuse will only increase,” not to mention the deadly consequences for the unborn child.

Prioritizing Protection for Pregnancy Care Centers

THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE HAS OVERRIDDEN the veto of Gov. Laura Kelly (D) to enact a new Pregnancy Center Autonomy & Rights of Expression Act.

The new law, reports Calvin Freiburger for LifeSiteNews, “forbids any arm of state or local government from requiring pregnancy centers to ‘offer or perform abortions;’ ‘offer, provide or distribute abortion-inducing drugs;’ ‘counsel in favor of abortion or abortion-inducing drugs;’ or ‘post any advertisement, sign, flyer or similar material that promotes abortion or abortion-inducing drugs or provides any information about obtaining an abortion or abortion-inducing drugs.’”

And that’s not all. The Kansas legislature found it necessary also, adds Mr. Freiburger, to “keep government from preventing pro-life pregnancy centers from ‘providing information, care, counseling, classes or other services related to pregnancy, childbirth or parenting;’ ‘providing prenatal and postnatal resources, including diapers, baby clothes, baby furniture, formula and similar items;’ ‘providing medical testing, medical counseling and medical care or treatment related to pregnancy or childbirth;’ ‘counseling a woman on any pregnancy-related care or treatment;’ or otherwise ‘interfer(ing) with staffing or hiring decisions of a pregnancy center or medical pregnancy center by requiring such center to interview, hire or continue to employ any person who does not affirm the center’s mission statement or agree to comply with the center’s pro-life ethic and operating procedures.’”

Readers may find it incomprehensible that such legislation would be necessary. But we urge readers to recall our opening statement: the Kansas legislature overrode the veto of the rabidly pro-abortion Kansas governor, who claimed the proposal “‘tr[ied] to interfere with that very personal, very private, medical decision,’” reports Mr. Freiburger. Anything, it seems, to promote the intentional killing of innocent pre-born boys and girls.

The override margins, by the way, were 87-to-35 in the House and 30-to-9 in the Senate. So there.

Fawning Fans

A BUNCH OF  LAWMAKERS in the US House and Senate filed resolutions in mid-March to designate March 10 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day.” The Senate resolution, SConRes-28, was filed on March 10, and the House measure, HConRes-78, was introduced two days later, on March 12. We will leave readers to their own conclusions as to how serious these lawmakers are in such filings. In any case, the Senate proposal was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, and the House version is residing peacefully in the House Committee on Energy & Commerce and the Judiciary Committee. Zzzz.

On the record as sponsors of this ploy are Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Gary Peters (D-MI), as well as Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA). 

Co-sponsoring SConRes-28 with Senators Hirono and Peters are Democratic Senators Alex Padilla (CA), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Ed Markey & Elizabeth Warren (MA), Cory Booker (NJ), Martin Heinrich (NM), Ron Wyden (OR), John Fetterman (PA), Peter Welch (VT) and Patty Murray (WA).

Joining Rep. Pressley in sponsoring HConRes-78 are Democratic Representatives Judy Chu, Lateefah Simon & Eric Swalwell (CA); Diana DeGette (CO); John Larson (CT); Frederica Wilson (FL); Hank Johnson (GA); Jill Tokuda (HI); Jesus Garcia, Delia Ramirez & Jan Schakowsky (IL); Seth Moulton (MA); Ilhan Omar (MN); Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ); Deborah Ross (NC); Suzanne Bonamici & Andrea Salinas (OR); Jasmine Crockett, Lloyd Doggett & Julie Johnson (TX), Gwen Moore (WI). DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) is listed as a co-sponsor as well, although she is not an elected Representative and has no vote in the House.

Marching in the States

MARCHES FOR LIFE THIS MONTH include gatherings in Denver on April 17, Richmond on the 22^nd and Anchorage on April 25. Further details can be found at https://marchforlife.org/statemarches. Enjoy the day, and make a difference for the cause of Life.

Is Planned Parenthood Hurting?

April 8, 2026, LifeSiteNews analysis by Calvin Freiburger

             Planned Parenthood has released its 2024-2025 annual report, which revealed that despite a slew of fully enforceable state abortion bans and numerous cuts to federal funding, the abortion giant has again managed to commit a record number of abortions in a nation without Roe v. Wade. The document, framed around the euphemistic theme that “care continues” despite “direct attacks on sexual and reproductive health,” reports committing 434,450 abortions and 2.27 million “birth control services.” By contrast, it lists a mere 3,038 adoption referrals.

             Notably, it boasts 320,390 telehealth appointments. What percentage were for abortions as opposed to other procedures is not broken down, but the report specifically highlights remote appointments’ utility in “reducing the need for patients to travel long distances” for abortions.

             “During the 2024-2025 fiscal year, Planned Parenthood affiliates disbursed $3.7 million to more than 12,200 patients to help them overcome barriers to abortion care,” it adds, “providing funding for transportation, lodging, meals and dependent care while traveling to appointments.”

             … The abortion giant’s affiliates received $832 million in “government health services reimbursement & grants,” which comprised 38% of total revenue. Live Action breaks down the numbers, noting that Planned Parenthood’s latest yearly abortions were a record-breaking sum, up 8% from the year before. Its taxpayer funding was up 5% as well. Notably, federal defunding through last year’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” took effect in fiscal year 2026. While the Trump Administration has pursued most opportunities to cut Planned Parenthood funding, it did recently renew one of its Title X [Ten] grants for one more year, claiming it had no choice legally. The report does not share the number of abortion pills it dispensed, but Live Action estimates that “Planned Parenthood is responsible for 42% of all chemical (abortion pill) abortions in the US.”

             Lastly, as has long been the case, Planned Parenthood’s continued emphasis on abortion and contraception once again came at the expense of other procedures. It reports almost 9% fewer cancer screenings, more than 15% fewer breast [cancer] screenings and almost 2.5% fewer Pap tests.

             Thirteen states ban all or most abortions, with a wide range of lesser restrictions also in effect. But the abortion lobby works feverishly to preserve abortion “access” via deregulated interstate distribution of abortion pills, legal protection and financial support of interstate abortion travel, constructing new abortion facilities near borders shared by pro-life and pro-abortion states, making liberal states sanctuaries for those who want to evade or violate the laws of more pro-life neighbors and embedding abortion “rights” in state constitutions, whether via activist lawsuits or state constitutional amendments.

             Mailing abortion-inducing drugs across state lines has become abortion lobby’s most important tool for perpetuating abortion-on-demand and undermining pro-life laws, thanks to the difficulty of tracking pills shipped in nondescript packaging and pills usually taken in complete privacy. The latest data from the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute reported an alleged 1,125,930 clinical abortions in 2025, a slight increase from 2024, which Guttmacher attributed in large part to abortion pills. …

The Opposite of ‘Ethics’

April 8, 2026, Life Issues Radio presentation by Victor Nieves, president, Life Issues Institute

             A recent paper published in the University of Chicago Press journal Ethics argues that abortion should be considered “adequate care” for pregnant minors. The authors contend that doctors have a moral duty to ensure underage girls undergo abortions, even if the girl or her family objects.

             The paper suggests that, in some cases, abortion could be carried out using sedation or physical restraint if necessary. 

             It also compares pregnancy in minors to serious medical conditions such as cancer, arguing that terminating a pregnancy is analogous to providing life-saving treatment.

             The authors argue that caregivers should not present multiple options but instead treat pregnancy in minors as a condition requiring intervention, prioritizing what they describe as the child’s best interests. Pure evil.

Wisdom from Mr. Hyde

Join us in reading a paragraph-by-paragraph reprinting of the Sept. 19, 1996, speech by Rep. Henry J. Hyde to the House of Representatives, in which he called for the House to override Pres. Clinton’s veto of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, HR-1833. Rep. Hyde has long been seen as one of America’s all-time leading orators and a model communicator in the cause of Life. In this week’s offering, Rep. Hyde uses the term “these atrocities;” that term refers to partial-birth abortions (the killing of late-term unborn babies via partial delivery followed by surgical-instrument assault and delivery of the victim’s fatally wounded body).

             … The abortionist who is a principal perpetrator of these atrocities, Dr. Martin Haskell, has conceded at least 80% of the partial-birth abortions he performs are entirely elective – 80% are elective. And he admits to over 1,000 of these abortions, and that’s some years ago.

             We’re told about some extreme cases of malformed babies – as though life is only for the privileged, the planned and the perfect. Dr. James McMahon – the late Dr. James McMahon – listed nine such abortions he performed because the baby had a cleft lip.

             Many other physicians, who care both about the mother and the unborn child, have made it clear this procedure is never a medical necessity, but it is a convenience for the abortionist. It’s a convenience for those who choose to abort late in pregnancy, when it becomes difficult to dismember the unborn child in the womb.