The past few years have provided ample opportunities to advance the cause of life, and it seems that 2022 will not disappoint. It is almost impossible to comprehend that the Texas Fetal Heartbeat law still has not been struck down. There have been numerous court challenges, but the law still stands. For more details about these court challenges please see the State Briefs in this issue. For almost five months now, abortion has been effectively outlawed in Texas, a feat achieved for the first time in almost 50 years.

 

In addition to protecting mothers and unborn children, Texas has offered us a glimpse of a post-Roe world. If or when Roe is overturned, we all know that our pro-life endeavors will have to radically change to adapt to the reality of life without Roe. In this issue, Mary Parker, M.A., Director of Legislative Affairs for Ohio Right to Life explores what it will take to form a pro-life consensus after Roe. Abortion advocates are not going to pack up and go home if Roe is overturned. On the contrary, abortion advocates will become even more vicious in their attempts to restore legalized abortion. We must remain vigilant promoting the culture of life against continued attacks by the culture of death.

 

As a movement, pro-lifers have always opened their hearts, homes, and wallets to help women facing a crisis pregnancy. We know that the baby is not the problem, but rather the circumstance that says the death of a child is a solution to a problem. If or when Roe is overturned, we will need to redouble our efforts to help women and families in need. In her article, Susan Arnall, Esq., Director of Outreach and Engagement for the Right to Life League in California, provides some post-Roe policy strategies. Again, in Texas, in addition to the Fetal Heartbeat Law, the State also funded pregnancy resources. Ms. Arnall explains how our post-Roe policies can help pregnant mothers and families in general.

 

In a post-Roe world, we will have 50 fights on our hands. The lines are already starting to be drawn in the states. On the pro-life side, counties and cities continue to pass Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinances and pro-life resolutions. Even though resolutions are not legally enforceable they do show us that there is support for protecting the unborn. States also continue to pass Fetal Heartbeat laws. Some states are even revising previously passed Fetal Heartbeat laws to model their laws after the Texas example. We also have numerous states with Trigger Bans, which will outlaw abortion should Roe meet its demise. Unfortunately, our opponents have also been busy trying to enshrine abortion as a right on the state level. New York, California, and New Jersey in particular will still legally protect abortion regardless of what happens to Roe.

 

Again, I highly recommend visiting our State Briefs in this issue. Joe Kral does a very thorough job updating pro-life activity on the state level.  

 

It is only natural for pro-lifers to feel euphoric at the thought of Roe being overturned, but we cannot let our guard down. There are still many challenges to face. For example, chemical abortions. During the pandemic, on an emergency basis, the FDA allowed for abortion pills to be sent through the mail. Recently, the FDA made the rule permanent. Hannah Howard, M.S. of the Charlotte Lozier Institute provides an excellent history of the FDA’s regulation of chemical abortions and explains the damaging health consequence for women due to laxed regulations. Ms. Howard’s article illustrates the need to ban telemedicine abortions.

 

It would be wonderful if Roe was overturned, but with or without it we still need to pursue legal protection for the unborn, provide for pregnant women and families, and continue to build a culture that values life.  

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Joe Kral, M.A.

President & Editor-in-Chief

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Ana Brennan, J.D.

Vice President & Senior Editor