As Democrats pass legislation to legalize abortion until birth across the country, Republicans are taking a different path to support women and unborn children. Both responses to the historic overturning of Roe could not be in more sharp contrast.
The June ruling that found there was no constitutional right to abortion, resulted in a flurry of activity from House Democrats, passing numerous bills that are stalled by Republicans in the Senate to codify abortion into federal law. It also resulted in hundreds of violent attacks on pro-life women’s clinics and churches by abortion supporters. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) refused to condemn the acts when asked.
In response, Republicans argue now is the time to ramp up family support with legislation that compliments the many efforts of pro-life organizations already serving millions of women across the country.
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, issued his Family Security Act 2.0 plan over the summer, focusing on easing economic hardships for families. Finances are the top reason cited by women seeking an abortion. The plan expands the child tax credit and would provide between $250 and $350 direct monthly payments to low-income families with young children. The payments could start during a woman’s pregnancy with the caveat that the family receiving it meets a minimum work requirement.
Romney has tried to thread the needle between support and what could be perceived as welfare in the bill.
“I’d like a young woman that’s not working, that’s pregnant, I’d like her to know that she doesn’t have to eliminate the pregnancy to be able to carry the financial burden of a child,” he said. “But we don’t want to create any potential incentive for people to become entirely dependent upon government.”
Romney’s plan has earned some support from major pro-life advocates, including the National Right to Life Committee.
“The practical effect, of course, is going to help families with young children but also hopefully it’s going to help women realize that children are a blessing, and ending the life of that child is not going to improve their life,” committee President Carol Tobias said.
Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio’s Providing for Life Act also includes a family tax credit and expands into areas such as paid leave, adoption and crisis pregnancy centers. For more than a decade, economist Abby McCloskey has advocated for a greater government response to struggling families and single mothers.
“There has been hesitation on the part of conservatives to rally behind these policies to the extent they’re seen as an entitlement,” she said. As a conservative, those are concerns I take seriously as well. That said, I think the purpose of government even for the most conservative of us is to provide a safety net for vulnerable people.”
Contrary to media reports, some polls show that Republicans, and the pro-life cause, have gained support from voters as Democrats continue to pass radical pro-abortion bills.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice