The GOP triumphed on abortion — now the party needs to act like a winner

In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade after five long decades, giving hope to the millions of Americans who had passionately championed the protection of unborn children.

Nearly two years later, however, many pro-life advocates are adrift, unsure of what exactly they should be doing to guard their historic achievement in the face of mounting hostility and adversity from the left.

We must remain unwavering in our guiding principles: conviction, compassion, and an unyielding commitment to our duty to protect the unborn.

At the direction of the Biden administration, the federal government intends to expand the opportunity to end life unilaterally. From the FDA deregulating abortion pills and the Pentagon funding abortions to the Justice Department targeting pro-life volunteers, state power is being deployed to an unprecedented extent in the service of a pro-abortion agenda radically out of step with everyday Americans.

Alarmingly, though not surprisingly, given their agenda, Democrats continue to deny scientific reality involving unborn children. While supporting certain safety measures, such as requiring that beer, wine, and spirits be labeled with a warning that women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy and also barring pregnant women from riding roller coasters, high-ranking politicians on the left have refused to acknowledge the humanity of babies in the womb.

Abandoning Bill Clinton’s “safe, legal, and rare” mantra, Democrats now advocate late-term abortions, deny care to surviving infants, and push for unrestricted taxpayer-funded abortions. Though polls show that many left-leaning Americans support reasonable abortion restrictions, their voices are often silenced, allowing extreme viewpoints to dominate the conversation.

Instead, we hear militant voices like that of actress Anne Hathaway, who appeared on ABC’s “The View” and told viewers, “In my experience, abortion can be another word for ‘mercy.’” And, of course, the ladies of “The View” dogmatically cheered her on.

Democrats have taken an even more bizarre approach to the abortion debate by forming an alliance with the Satanic Temple, which opened an abortion facility in New Mexico. In a repulsive act of trolling, the temple named the facility after Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s mother. Then again, nobody ever accused satanists of being tasteful.

Unfortunately, the GOP appeared largely unprepared for success at the Supreme Court. This is perplexing and infuriating, given that the party had long supported overturning Roe. Many politicians stammered out awkward messaging. Others even seemed embarrassed by the court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, raising pressing questions about their commitment to the cause.

While a few Republican leaders, including Governors Ron DeSantis, Brian Kemp, and Greg Abbott, boldly addressed the issue, they remained exceptions in a party that noticeably distanced itself from its pro-life platform, especially during the 2022 midterms.

Fortunately, the strength and readiness of the grassroots pro-life movement have provided a beacon of hope.

Pregnancy medical centers, privately funded by compassionate citizens, now outnumber abortion providers 5-1 in post-Roe America. These centers not only reaffirm the movement’s commitment to protecting the unborn but also provide essential health care access to pregnant women in need.

In light of these trials, the Republican Party must embrace the profound significance of pro-life victories and, accordingly, sharpen its messaging and develop strategies to seize upon the moment.

First, the GOP must proudly and wholeheartedly celebrate the demise of Roe v. Wade, presenting the Supreme Court’s decision as a resounding victory for unborn rights and a triumph for the conservative movement. Instead of shying away, as it did in 2022, the Republican Party should assert its commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of life at every stage, shedding light on the stark reality of the Democratic position that permits taxpayer-funded abortion until the moment of birth. This stark contrast demands the nation’s attention.

Second, the GOP must drive the pro-life battle to the grassroots. Investment in pregnancy medical centers, educational initiatives, and open dialogue at the local level can and will transform perceptions and win hearts. Our next imperative is to end abortion on state and local fronts, empowering communities to safeguard the unborn and offering alternatives to women who need support at a key moment in their lives.

As we navigate this ever-evolving landscape, we must remain unwavering in our guiding principles: conviction, compassion, and an unyielding commitment to the undeniable truth: our duty to protect the unborn. Together, through the combination of strategic messaging and grassroots efforts, we can lead the way in championing the sanctity of life for generations to come.