President Trump Reaffirms Commitment to Protect the Gift of Life

President Trump Reaffirms Commitment to Protect the Gift of Life

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

President Trump proclaimed today, January 22, 2020, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day declaring, “Every person — the born and unborn, the poor, the downcast, the disabled, the infirm, and the elderly — has inherent value.”

Forty-seven years ago the U.S. Supreme Court issued the Roe v. Wade decision which combined with the Doe v. Bolton decision imposed one of the most extreme pro-abortion policies in the world upon the United States—abortion on demand throughout pregnancy— resulting in over 61,000,000 estimated abortions since 1973 according to analysis from the National Right to Life Committee.

President Trump states that while “each journey is different, no life is without worth or is inconsequential; the rights of all people must be defended” and declares: “On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our Nation proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage, from conception to natural death.”

In the proclamation, the president lauds the decline in the number and rate of abortions and the decline in the rate of abortions among adolescents which is at the lowest level since abortion was legalized. It details recent pro-life actions taken by the president.

President Trump declares in the Proclamation:

“All Americans should celebrate this decline in the number and rate of abortions, which represents lives saved. Still, there is more to be done, and, as President, I will continue to fight to protect the lives of the unborn. I signed into law legislation under the Congressional Review Act that allows States and other grantees to exclude organizations that perform abortions from their Title X projects. My Administration has also issued regulations to ensure Title X family planning projects are clearly separated from those that perform, promote, or refer for abortion as a method of family planning; to protect the conscience rights of healthcare workers and organizations, including with respect to abortion; and to ensure the Federal Government does not force employers that object, based on religious belief or moral conviction, to provide insurance for contraceptives, including those they believe cause early abortions. Additionally, I have called on the Congress to act to prohibit abortions of later-term babies who can feel pain.”

The international pro-life efforts of President Trump and his administration are explained in the Proclamation:

“My Administration is also building an international coalition to dispel the concept of abortion as a fundamental human right. So far, 24 nations representing more than a billion people have joined this important cause. We oppose any projects that attempt to assert a global right to taxpayer‑funded abortion on demand, up to the moment of delivery. And we will never tire of defending innocent life — at home or abroad.”

The commitment of President Trump to the protection of life and his gratefulness to all those who defend the precious gift of life are highlighted:

“As a Nation, we must remain steadfastly dedicated to the profound truth that all life is a gift from God, who endows every person with immeasurable worth and potential. Countless Americans are tireless defenders of life and champions for the vulnerable among us. We are grateful for those who support women experiencing unexpected pregnancies, those who provide healing to women who have had abortions, and those who welcome children into their homes through foster care and adoption. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we celebrate the wonderful gift of life and renew our resolve to build a culture where life is always revered.”

In the closing words of the Proclamation, President Trump called upon Congress to join him in “protecting and defending the dignity of every human life, including those not yet born”. He called on the American people “to continue to care for women in unexpected pregnancies and to support adoption and foster care in a more meaningful way, so every child can have a loving home” and asked every citizen “to listen to the sound of silence caused by a generation lost to us, and then to raise their voices for all affected by abortion, both seen and unseen”.

Last week, a large number of pro-life Members of the U.S. House of Representatives voiced their pro-life concerns on the House floor during what is known as a “Special Order”. Led by House Pro-Life Caucus co-chair Rep. Chris Smith, over 30 Members of Congress expressed their heartfelt support for pro-life laws, for the need to protect children alive in the womb but not yet born from the violence of abortion, and for the March for Life which takes place on Friday, January 24th. The House of Representatives is not in session this week.

Read the speeches here.

Watch the Members' speeches as listed below:

Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN)

Special Order:

Rep. Chris Smith Opening Statement

Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL)

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD)

Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN)

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA)

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ)

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC)

Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA)