This week marked one year since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The ruling rectified its mistaken 1973 decision by reversing Roe v. Wade and sent the issue of abortion back to state legislators, where it belongs.
According to the National Right to Life Committee, more than 63.4 million babies were killed by abortion in the United States from 1973 to 2022. Now, abortion rates are at the lowest rate since the Roe v. Wade decision 50 years ago.
With the issue back in the power of the States, many states across the country, including Arkansas, have reasonable bans or protections in place for abortions. In Arkansas, abortion is illegal unless necessary to save the mother’s life in a medical emergency. Innocent lives are being saved because of the Supreme Court’s decision one year ago, and they will continue to be saved for years to come.
I’ve heard from many constituents in the 4th District who are passionate about protecting the sanctity of life, and I share that sentiment. I’m proud to have introduced numerous pieces of pro-life legislation that protect the lives of the unborn, confirming that no taxpayer dollars will fund abortions and affirming that life begins at the moment of fertilization.
While many states have enacted laws to protect the lives of the unborn, there is still work to be done. Earlier this year, many pharmacies like CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens announced that they plan to become certified to dispense a potentially dangerous mail-order chemical abortion drug, mifepristone. I took action and called on the companies to protect the health and safety of women and unborn children by refusing these prescriptions. I’ve also called on the Department of Defense to stop its likely illegal funding of travel, meals, and lodging for service members and their dependents to go out of the state for the purpose of obtaining an abortion.
We have a duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Supporting prolife legislation and oversight efforts continues a fight I began when I was in the Arkansas General Assembly to protect the lives of unborn children. I will never stop fighting for the innocent unborn, and one day our country will overcome the great injustice of abortion in America.
