Pro-Life lawmakers want change in a post-Roe landscape

In the aftermath of electoral setbacks for the pro-life movement following the Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade, pro-life lawmakers are grappling with how to approach the issue of abortion. While some are advocating for a more moderate stance to appeal to a broader electorate, others are doubling down on their pro-life positions.

There is a division within the Republican Party on whether to emphasize federal policies or leave regulation to the states. Some lawmakers argue for a focus on issues like the economy and personal security rather than making abortion a central campaign theme.

There are differing views among potential Republican presidential candidates on abortion. Former President Donald Trump is avoiding direct commitment to a ban on abortion after 15 weeks. Pro-life Democrats also faced electoral defeats with the last self-identifying pro-life Democrat in the Virginia General Assembly losing in a primary focused on abortion issues.

Abortion is likely to remain a significant focus in upcoming elections with several abortion-related referendums expected on statewide ballots.

Catholic News Agency reports:

Amid electoral struggles since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, some pro-life lawmakers are considering changing how they approach the issue of abortion — but many of them are still divided on what the best strategy is.

This November, the pro-life movement suffered a string of losses in an election cycle that was heavily focused on abortion policy: losing a referendum fight in Ohio by a 13-point margin, as Kentucky voters opted for a pro-abortion Democrat in the gubernatorial race by a 5-point margin, and Democrats narrowly defeated Republicans to control both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly.

Some pro-life lawmakers are trying to moderate their position on abortion in response to these results, but others are doubling down on their pro-life stances.

“We can’t save lives if we can’t win elections,” Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told CNA.

“If pro-life Republicans want to actually save lives, they have to learn to read the room,” Mace said. “We need to listen to women. Roe’s repeal changed the playing field and the conversation, and too many are stuck in the policies and arguments of the past.”

Mace, who has urged Republicans to moderate their positions on abortion, has criticized pro-life bills that do not include exceptions for rape and incest and bills that establish reporting requirements for rape victims who seek an abortion. She testified against a near-total abortion ban in South Carolina because of the lack of exceptions in the initial proposal.

“We need to talk about commonsense abortion restrictions, but the conversation doesn’t end there,” Mace added. “We need to discuss access to prenatal care, adoption services, counseling for women considering abortion, and other resources like my bill to establish life.gov, which gives women access to information that encourages them to choose life.”

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