Tim McGraw's iconic song "My Next Thirty Years" reflects on the past while imagining the journey ahead. Meanwhile in the world of national politics, it feels like the first thirty days of this administration have accomplished the work of thirty years. In some ways it truly has.
North Carolina Right to Life (NCRTL) longs for a day when the ongoing debate about abortion policy doesn't feel like an endless ping-pong match, especially given the high stakes with millions of human lives in question. Yet, there is a glimmer of hope. We are witnessing a resurgence of life-saving policies, designed to protect the most vulnerable among us.
The Hyde Amendment
Introduced in 1976 by Congressman Henry Hyde, intends to bar federal funding of domestic abortions, except in the cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
· Legislative Provision: Attached annually as a rider to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) appropriations bill.
· Supreme Court Ruling: Upheld by the Supreme Court in 1980 (Harris v. McRae).
· Enforcement and Interpretation: Varies with different presidential administrations, influencing the extent and nature of its application.
Recent executive order impacting the Hyde amendment
Under President Biden, abortion and abortion-related travel were funded through the Department of Defense and the Department of Veteran Affairs. Additionally, Biden authorized funding for abortion travel for illegal immigrants and allowed Medicaid dollars to be used for such purposes.
On January 24, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order to enforce the Hyde Amendment more strictly. This order rescinded two previous executive orders from the Biden administration—Executive Order 14076 and Executive Order 14079—which had expanded federal funding for abortion services. The new order aims to prevent federal taxpayer dollars from funding or promoting elective abortions, aligning with the original intent of the Hyde Amendment.
Protecting Life Globally (The Mexico City Policy)
The Mexico City Policy is perhaps the most well-known among these ping-pong policies, epitomizing the political struggles over abortion funding. First introduced by President Reagan in the mid-1980s, it prevents foreign NGOs from using U.S. taxpayer dollars for abortion services or promotion. President Trump reinforced this policy during his first term. Although President Biden rescinded it in 2021, President Trump reinstated it within his first week back in office. When enforced, this policy halts funding to organizations like Marie Stopes International and Planned Parenthood International, which advocate for abortion.
The Geneva Consensus Declaration
On January 24, 2025, the United States informed signatories of the Geneva Consensus Declaration of our intent to rejoin immediately. Established in 2020 during the first Trump administration, this historic declaration, led by the United States, was a joint initiative with Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, and Uganda. The group now has more than 35 signatories.
Key points include:
· Promoting Women's Health: Ensuring equal access to quality education, economic resources, and political participation.
· Protecting Life: Defending the unborn and emphasizing the inherent value of every human life.
· Supporting Families: Highlighting the family as the fundamental unit of society.
· Respecting Sovereignty: Affirming that there is no international right to abortion and respecting national laws on the matter.
Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act
On January 23, 2025, just one day before the National March for Life, President Donald Trump signed an executive order pardoning 23 pro-life activists who had been convicted of federal crimes under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act for blocking abortion clinic entrances before Roe v. Wade was overturned.
The very next day, the Trump Department of Justice issued a memo stating it would not prosecute any pro-life Americans for peacefully protesting abortion. These actions were seen as a significant shift in policy, offering relief to those who felt unjustly persecuted by the previous administration.
Investigation of the safety of the abortion pill Mifepristone
The newly confirmed Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F Kennedy, Jr., reported President Donald Trump has directed him to study mifepristone. RFK criticized the lack of reporting requirements for nonfatal injuries caused by taking the abortion pill.
The FDA approved the chemical abortion drug in question, called mifepristone, in 2000 and subsequently deregulated the drug. The rules allow a pregnant woman to take the drug up to 10 weeks into her pregnancy, at which point her preborn child will have a fetal heartbeat, early brain activity, and partially developed eyes, ears, lips, and nostrils.
Mifepristone kills the baby by blocking the hormone progesterone, which cuts off the child’s supply of oxygen and nutrients. A second pill, misoprostol, is taken between 24 to 48 hours after mifepristone to induce contractions meant to expel the child’s body from the mother, essentially inducing labor.
Proponents of abortion call it ‘medication abortion,’ but that is misleading. Typically, a medication is something used to manage a patient’s illness. The first drug, mifepristone, was not developed as a treatment or cure, but to end a child’s life. Thus ‘chemical abortion’ is the more accurate term.
The Abortion Struggle in the Old North State
In North Carolina, our dedication to the cause remains unwavering as we pray for change and for the lives at stake on a local level. A recent poll conducted by the McLaughlin Group for North Carolina Right to Life in August highlighted that most North Carolinians favor abortion only under specific circumstances: to save the mother's life, in medical emergencies, cases of rape, or incest. A substantial 71% supported a proposal to allow abortion solely in these four instances, with considerable backing even from those who identify as pro-choice. The poll also revealed significant opposition to using abortion as a means of birth control (64% disapproval). Additionally, respondents expressed support for limiting taxpayer funding for abortions and increasing assistance for alternatives to abortion. Pro-life candidates seem to have strong public support, particularly when they frame their positions around these exceptions. Full survey: New NC Pole Points the Way to Successful Prolife Strategies
Your support is more critical than ever as we strive to further our mission of education and advocacy.
留言