Paul Stark of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) says that as measures (HF 91/ SF 70) that would repeal most of the state's remaining pro-life laws are coming up for votes in the state legislature, his organization is trying to convince lawmakers that babies who are born alive in failed abortions can survive and should be allowed to.
"One of the laws that this bill would repeal is Minnesota's Born Alive Infant Protection Act, which requires that basic care be provided to an infant who survives an abortion and has a chance to live," Stark explains. "This bill would repeal that protection and effectively allow babies to be left to die after they survive an abortion."
He points out that according to the Minnesota Department of Health, 14 babies were born alive during abortions from 2017-2021. Meanwhile, stats show that babies as young as 21 weeks are being saved.
Still, the House Health Finance and Policy Committee approved the "utterly extreme bill," which also seeks to repeal laws requiring that abortion information be reported, on an 11-8 vote last month. Without those measures in place, clinics could hide behind the curtain of that law when they botch abortions.
"The legislature has a narrow Democrat majority, and they're pushing this new bill forward and some other bad bills," Stark relays. "But the margins are very narrow in Minnesota, so if you sway a vote or two, that can make a difference."
That is why MCCL is asking voters in the state to urge lawmakers to vote no, as the measure could come up for consideration in both houses soon.
In Texas, some members of the legislature want to destroy the Alternatives to Abortion (A2A) program that is helping pregnant women for up to three years so they can bring their baby to term, take care of basic needs, and get back on their feet after having their baby.
"When we're providing social services to women, you would think that's something that everyone could get behind," reasons Rebecca Parma of Texas Right to Life. "But because of the fact that it is a program that does not partner with abortion providers or affiliates, we have Democrats who are constantly trying to undercut the program, claim it's deceitful, and constantly trying to defund it as well."
Since Roe v. Wade has been overturned, and because most abortions are illegal in Texas, she says A2A is vital.
"We're only going to see more women who are needing social services, and we want to help them feel equipped to choose life in our state," Parma submits. "We don't want them to get illegal abortion pills or go to another state for an abortion. So we have to stay vigilant to make sure this program is protected and that the funding is increased -- and make sure that any efforts from the Democrats to try to undercut it are thwarted."
Texas Right to Life is asking the legislature to fund the program with $200 million for the next two years.
Led by California Governor Gavin Newsom, 20 governors recently announced the formation of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, a coalition to strengthen abortion access. The group calls itself nonpartisan, but only Democratic governors have joined so far. Minnesota's Gov. Tim Walz is among them.
In contrast, Republican lawmakers want everyone, especially medical professionals, to have a conscience. Nebraska Senator Dave Murman (R), for example, has introduced the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act.
"Prospective medical students are hesitant to go into medicine because of discrimination against them because of their religious beliefs," he relays. "Typically, they don't want to do abortions, sex change operations, [or] euthanasia."
Since Washington is trying to change the rules to force them against their will, he says someone needs to step up and protect them. But getting the measure passed in Nebraska faces the obstacle of breaking a filibuster.
"The newest class of conservatives that has come in is more conservative than the ones that went out," Sen. Murman notes, "so I think we can hold together the conservatives better, probably get all of their votes, and get at least one more vote from the liberals."
One vote could make the difference in whether those protections are in place. So like Stark and Parma, Sen. Murman encourages people, especially those represented by liberals, to contact their elected officials and politely encourage them to advance the pro-life bill and pass it.
