It was a privilege to be able to welcome tens of thousands of Americans to the nation’s capital this month for the 52nd March for Life. It’s an inspiring sight when the streets of Washington are packed with pro-life Americans from every corner of the country – when you look down the broad avenues and see signs held high and the smiles on people’s faces as they march to defend and celebrate every human life.
Our country’s founding document reads, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The founders recognized that life is a fundamental right, and the pro-life movement continues to carry that truth forward. They continue to be a voice for those who have no voice. They defend those who cannot defend themselves. They work to protect the smallest, weakest, and most vulnerable, and I commend them for their commitment.
It can often feel like an uphill battle defending life, but the annual march is proof that pro-life Americans are not alone. South Dakotans proved that in last year’s election. Voters in our state stood for life in November by upholding our state’s laws regarding abortion. I’m proud that South Dakota voters had the courage to be leaders in the defense of human life.
This month, the U.S. Senate held a vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, a simple bill that would have required that a baby born alive after an attempted abortion be provided the same protection and medical care as any other newborn baby. It shouldn’t be controversial, but Democrats can’t seem to agree that a baby born after a failed abortion should be protected.
Democrats blocked this bill, obscuring their votes with vague justifications. But I think what it boils down to is this: Democrats fear that by recognizing the humanity of a newly born child, they may inadvertently point to the humanity of the unborn child. When you do that, it gets a little harder to say that same child wasn’t human just a few moments ago because he or she hadn’t been born.
There is still work to be done, but we in the pro-life movement have truth on our side. I believe that that truth will ultimately prevail and one day we will recognize the dignity of every human life and protect every human life. Until then, we march on.