The United States Supreme Court returned abortion law to the states with its decision in Dobbs. For many Pro-Life activists, that was a watershed moment. The General Assembly is now considering adding amendments to Virginia’s Constitution that would ensure abortion is the law of the land here in the Commonwealth. This is consistent with Dobbs, thus illustrating that the federalism is working, so Chicken Little alarmists can rest, but Pro-Life activists need to remain vigilant.
Democrats have the majority in both chambers of the General Assembly, so expect a narrow, party-line passage of their pro-abortion laws. The amendments eventually have to appear on the ballot in a November General Election, giving the people the final say.
Unfortunately, General Assembly Democrats refuse to compromise on some fairly easy to understand points offered by Republicans. For example, what happens if the baby survives the abortion, then what? It’s fair to say that most compassionate humans would assume that the baby gets to live, right? No, not in Virginia.
Republicans offered a change to the current version of Democrats’ abortion bill. The change would’ve saved the life of a baby who made it through a botched abortion. Every Democrat voted Nay. Unbelievable.
The above X post is from the Virginia Senate Republican caucus. It captures Monday’s disturbing vote.
Ralph Northam and Infanticide
The Republican caucus’s post references former governor Ralph Northam’s baffling defense of Del. Kathy Tran’s bill, HB2491, which would have allowed an abortion during natural delivery of a newborn in the third trimester. Tran’s inhumane bill was left in committee. Democrat Northam then went on the radio to defend his party’s failed bill. Here’s Northam’s quote, from WTOP–
“So in this particular example, if a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired. And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother.”
Yikes, that sounds like infanticide.
The craziness reached international audiences. The BBC reported, “After Republicans accused [Northam] of advocating for infanticide in his remarks, his spokeswoman said that he was only discussing cases of ‘tragic or difficult circumstances, such as a nonviable pregnancy or in the event of severe foetal abnormalities’.” Yikes, that doesn’t help.
Pro-Life Pardons
President Trump pardoned 23 Pro-Life activists yesterday saying, “they should not have been prosecuted.” He added, “this is a great honor to sign this.” The Pro-Life activists were found guilty of the Free Access to Clinic Entrances Act. As the name suggests, it is an absurd attempt to curb 1st Amendment Rights. Peaceful protest is protected and there are already laws against violent protests. All that legislation has done is allow federal prosecutors to pile on needlessly long sentences to offenders targeted for their political beliefs, which is not how we do things in America.
Once again, Trump signed the pardon in front of the press. This is a new layer of transparency that senile Joe Biden could never have offered. Pardons are usually signed at the end of a term, in a closed room with no reporters. Imagine Biden signing his son’s pardon in front of the press. This pardon was a campaign promise from Trump. Agree or disagree with this pardon, signing it with all this daylight is a refreshing change and hopefully a new precedent that Trump’s successors will emulate.
March for Life
Today is the annual March for Life. The message is the same: choose Life. Virginia is an example of why the Dobbs decision only redirects the message to a more micro-targeted audience. Before Dobbs, the audience was the nation as a whole. Pro-Lifers won that messaging plan. Now after Dobbs, the audience needs to be the states individually. The proposed amendments in Virginia must be voted up or down by the people. Pro-Lifers can win here in the Commonwealth.
Vice President JD Vance will speak at this year’s March. He spoke at the Ohio March for Life in 2023.
The pre-rally events begin at 11am. The March begins at 1pm. Here’s a map of the route. Dress warm.
