OPINION:
This time two years ago, pro-life Virginians were lamenting Gov. Ralph Northam’s decision to repeal laws placing reasonable limits on abortion. Last year the pundits were claiming former Gov. Terry McAuliffe would sail into office and continue Northam’s extremism. Instead, Glenn Youngkin won the gubernatorial election, ushering in a new era of pro-life governance in Virginia.
Mr. Youngkin has consistently embraced pro-life policies grounded in science and compassion, but the pro-life community can’t rest on its laurels. Abortion activists still control the Virginia Senate and are putting up roadblocks to Mr. Youngkin’s agenda. That is why thousands of pro-life Virginians will gather in Richmond on April 27 for our fourth annual Virginia March for Life to demand that the general assembly protects life and doesn’t force taxpayers to fund abortion.
We are delighted to have Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears speak at the march, and we applaud all state leaders that are stepping up and embracing a pro-woman and pro-child stance as states take on an increasingly vital role.
Before Mr. Youngkin’s election, abortion extremists controlled Virginia’s General Assembly and were pushing policies that were radically out of step with what Americans believe when it comes to the humanity of the unborn. In 2019, state delegate Kathy Tran introduced a bill allowing for abortions through all three trimesters and even acknowledged that her bill would allow abortions until the moment the baby was delivered.
Mr. Northam could have disavowed Ms. Tran’s bill. Instead, he doubled down, saying about third-trimester abortions, “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.” Pro-life and pro-choice Americans were horrified by Mr. Northam’s endorsement of infanticide, and the General Assembly rejected Ms. Tran’s bill.
Ms. Tran and Mr. Northam’s views are well outside the scientific mainstream. Recent research shows babies can feel pain as early as 12 weeks and often have a heartbeat after only five weeks. Even vocal abortion proponents have switched their views on fetal pain because of the evidence.
Instead of reconsidering their outdated views, Mr. Northam and his allies stayed committed to abortion no matter what. In 2020, the governor signed a series of bills, on Good Friday no less, eliminating commonsense restrictions on abortion. The measures abolished an ultrasound requirement, allowed nonphysicians to perform abortions and did away with safety measures that ensure abortion businesses can care for women if something goes wrong.
Thankfully, the people of Virginia rejected this extremism at the ballot box. Of the 8% of voters who said abortion influenced their vote the most, 58% supported Mr. Youngkin, even though Mr. McAuliffe and his allies spent millions running a campaign on his support for abortion. This number aligns with national polling showing that over 70% of Americans support limits on abortion, particularly after the first trimester.
Since assuming office, Mr. Youngkin has fulfilled his campaign promises by advancing pro-life policies and personnel. Republicans have introduced a bill that would require doctors to care for babies born after botched abortions and another bill that would limit abortion after 20 weeks. These bills were blocked by the Democrat-controlled Senate, but they mark a definite shift to offense after years of playing defense.
More progress has been made by Virginia’s attorney general, Jason Miyares, who filed a motion to remove Virginia from a pro-abortion brief in the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court case. Miyares asked Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to decide for themselves whether and how abortion should be limited.
In another pro-life victory, Mr. Youngkin created a position for a chief diversity, opportunity and inclusion officer. In the executive order announcing the position, the governor explicitly stated that the officeholder will “be an ambassador for unborn children.” Angela Sailor, whom the governor picked to fill this role, is a strong voice for the voiceless and will ensure that Virginia doesn’t ignore the unborn in policy discussions.
The next crucial battle in Virginia’s pro-life struggle is Mr. Youngkin’s proposed budget, which bars taxpayer dollars from funding abortion. Democrats are prepared to reject this budget because they believe taxpayers should have to fund abortion regardless of their beliefs. That is why pro-life Virginians need to raise their voices in unison by participating in the Virginia March for Life.
The success of the pro-life movement in Virginia shows how much things can change in a few years. We should be proud of the progress we have made and let it inspire us to push for even bigger changes because, after all, lives are on the line.
• Jeanne Mancini is the president of March for Life.
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