FIGHT FOR LIFE
by Senator Pete Ricketts
Three years ago this week, the Supreme Court handed down one of the most important decisions in its history. The Dobbs decision restored the right of the American people to regulate abortion through the democratic process. The pro-life movement is about love, compassion, dignity, and respect. As Senator, I’m proud to fight for life.
Nebraska has always been a leader in the pro-life movement. In 2010, we became the first state to pass a bill banning abortion after babies could feel pain. When I was Governor, we banned the barbaric practice of dismemberment abortion. We bolstered informed consent protections. We provided nursing mothers’ rooms at state buildings. We also allowed state teammates to donate unused vacation leave to coworkers who are expectant mothers.
Last year, Nebraska became the first state to pass a pro-life ballot initiative since Dobbs and defeated a radical pro-abortion ballot initiative. These efforts have saved and continue to save many lives.
Supporting life isn’t just about reducing abortions. It’s also about ensuring all people are treated with dignity and respect.
One way we can respect life is by passing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. It’s a bill that isn’t really about abortion. It’s about compassion. In 2002, Congress passed bipartisan legislation recognizing that children who survive abortion attempts are persons under federal law. But they didn’t criminalize the denial of medical care to babies who survive an abortion. The Born-Alive bill rectifies that. It requires that a baby who survives abortion attempts must be provided the same level of medical care that would be provided to any other baby. It gives the baby a fighting chance at life.
These cases aren’t hypothetical. Melissa Ohden’s mother was pressured into an abortion attempt in Sioux City, Iowa. Her nurse heard Melissa’s cries and rushed her to the NICU. Melissa survived. She was later adopted and has led a productive life. Our society is better off because her nurse had compassion and provided care.
This bill shouldn’t be controversial. Tragically, it continues to be blocked by Democrats.
Our respect for human dignity should also include how we treat human remains. A few years ago, the remains of over 2,200 aborted babies were discovered in an Indiana abortionist’s home. People were horrified to find out that these children would be treated like common medical waste. I introduced the Dignity for Aborted Children Act to fix this. My bill would require abortionists to dispose of the remains of unborn children with the same dignity and respect as any other human being who died. It is also not really about abortion, but about respecting human dignity.
In addition, I co-lead legislation to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding abortion at home and abroad. I’m also pushing to ban discrimination against pro-life healthcare providers. I will continue fighting for these pro-life priorities.
Being pro-life is about more than just passing legislation. Nebraska’s pro-life culture is evident in communities across our state. We see it in volunteers who support the women who visit crisis pregnancy centers. We see it in churches who rally around young mothers to provide resources and care. We see it in the families who adopt or foster children in need. These acts of compassion demonstrate daily why to be pro-life is to be pro-mom, pro-baby, and pro-family.
As we celebrate the three-year anniversary of Dobbs, we remember that our work to support life has only just begun. We must continue encouraging a culture of life in our state and in our country.
My team and I are here to serve you. Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224. You can also view my website at www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact.
