Of course it was huge news last week that the GOP made tremendous gains in Congress, but those election results seem to have drown out an even more impressive wave in state legislatures. Republicans picked up 680 seats which is the largest ever for them. The only other turnover that comes close was the 1974 elections following the Watergate scandal in which Democrats picked up 628 seats in state legislatures.
This is of vital importance to pro-lifers because chances of passing pro-life legislation are dead in the water in legislatures controlled by pro-abortion Democrats. There are a total of 99 state-level chambers [houses and senates]. After the mid-term elections, the GOP has majorities in 58. For some states, this is the first time the GOP has had control of both chambers.
Thus it is immensely important to maintain focus and coordination to ensure that the pro-life movement capitalizes on these conditions to advance the cause. National Right to Life announced yesterday a state legislative strategy conference to be held in the Washington, D.C., area on December 7 (www.nrlc.org/News_and_Views/Nov10/nv110910.html). The short advance notice suggests just how urgent both the subject matter and the opportunities are.
With the news out only one day, we have already received a tremendous response through our state offices. Pro-life lawmakers are eager to discuss legislation like Nebraska's "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act" bills to ensure that women contemplating abortion can see ultrasound of their unborn children, bills to "opt-out" of abortion coverage in state insurance exchanges mandated by the new Obama Health Care Law, and many others.
These kinds of meetings have always yielded positive results in the past ensuring the protection of unborn children. Is it exciting to know we have so much hard work ahead of us.
Contact: Luis Zaffirini
Source: NRLC
