Some of the candidates newly elected to the United States Senate Tuesday have identified themselves as “pro-life.”
Senators-elect Josh Hawley of Missouri, Mike Braun of Indiana and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, all Republicans, all oppose abortion, leading a New York Times analysis to speculate that the Senate will now have an easier time confirming judicial nominees who could reverse some legal protections for abortion and even reverse the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
Republicans retain control of the Senate, while Democrats took back control of the House of Representatives.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life political action committee Susan B. Anthony List, called Tuesday evening’s election results a “good night for life.”
The Times noted that governors’ races were also a cause for pro-life celebration: Iowa, Florida, Georgia and Ohio all elected governors on Tuesday night who oppose abortion rights.
“And in two states, Alabama and West Virginia, voters approved ballot initiatives intended to limit abortion rights and provoke a legal challenge to Roe v. Wade,” the newspaper said.
West Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment that makes it clear that their state does not recognize abortion as a “right,” LifeNews reported. Voters’ approval means this language will be added to the State’s constitution: “Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.” The amendment would make it easier for the state to pass pro-life laws, including a restriction on taxpayer funding for abortions, the website said.
In Alabama, 59% of the electorate approved a pro-life amendment making it the “public policy of the state to recognize and support the importance of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life; and to protect the rights of unborn children.”
“Additionally, the amendment would make clear that the state constitution does not include a right to abortion or require the funding of an abortion using public funds,” the ballot question read.
Separately, according to CNN exit polls, 25% of the electorate believes the U.S. Supreme Court should overturn Roe v. Wade, with 79% of Republican voters agreeing with that proposition and 21% of Democrats agreeing.
And today we celebrate...