OPINION:
For over five decades, the pro-life movement has stood at the forefront of defending the lives of the most vulnerable among us. Two years ago, we celebrated a historic victory with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. This monumental change has empowered states to enact legislation that protects the unborn, showcasing our unwavering commitment to life.
However, our work is far from complete. A truly pro-life stance requires more than opposing abortion; it calls for a holistic commitment to a continuum of life — from the womb to the tomb.
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Recent polling data highlights the public’s growing desire for a more comprehensive approach to supporting life. According to a YouGov survey sponsored by Students for Life, 65% of respondents supported laws limiting abortion in some or all circumstances. This number rose to 80% when respondents were presented with scenarios in which the government increased support for mothers and children. This finding should serve as a clarion call to both pro-life advocates and policymakers: supporting families, particularly in the early years of child-rearing, is crucial for building a pro-life culture.
Raising a family is one of the noblest and most essential pursuits. The men and women nurturing the next generation — our future fathers and mothers, citizens, taxpayers, and leaders — deserve our utmost support. Yet, the decision to bring a child into the world is too often met with financial strain and uncertainty. Polls show that economic hardship is a leading reason parents delay having children or even choose to have an abortion. In fact, women in America have consistently reported having fewer children than they desire, a discrepancy that is currently the largest on record. This reality is a call to action. A society that values life must ensure that families have the resources, opportunities, and environment needed to thrive.
That’s why, on the second anniversary of Roe v. Wade’s reversal, more than 20 national pro-life groups and advocates introduced the Blueprint for Life. This initiative is a comprehensive suite of policy priorities designed to offer real support to vulnerable children and their parents.
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The Blueprint centers around seven core policy pillars that provide a roadmap for creating a pro-life culture that extends beyond birth, including offering financial relief to parents through budget-responsive policies like expanding the Child Tax Credit and providing paid family leave, as well as providing new resources for adoptive and foster parents and leaning into partnerships with local nonprofits and faith-based organizations for social services and mentoring initiatives.
The Blueprint represents a pathway to a holistic pro-life approach that values and supports life at every stage. By advocating for policies that embody these principles, we are not only standing against abortion but actively building a society where families can thrive. Supporting Paid Family Leave, the Child Tax Credit, affordable childcare, and other family-centered policies is not just good social policy — it is a moral imperative for those who claim to value life.
As we continue to advocate for a culture of life, we must remember that our pro-life stance is not just about opposing abortion; it is about affirming the dignity of every human life. From the womb to the tomb, let us champion a continuum of care that ensures every child and every family can flourish.
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Samuel Rodriguez Jr. is an Evangelical American Christian leader born to Puerto Rican parents in the United States. He is a pastor, movie producer, author, civil rights activist and television personality. He is the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference.
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