Sen. Tim Scott made history in 2014 when he became the first African-American senator from the state of South Carolina and the first elected from the South since 1881. This year, he bears the distinct honor of leading the congressional delegation to the March for Life, along with Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-Wa.).
“Every Life is a Gift,” the theme for this year’s March for Life, is very fitting as hundreds of thousands gather in Washington to celebrate the simple truth that every life has infinite possibilities and should be protected.
In an interview Sen. Scott noted that in his own life he had struggled and faced difficult circumstances but was thankful for the chance to succeed. Due to abortion on demand, the legacy of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, more than 57 million children in the United States will never have the opportunity to follow their dreams. 57 million unique individuals with distinct gifts and talents will never be able to express them.
This year’s March for Life falls just two months after momentous election results that led to dozens of new pro-life lawmakers taking the oath of office. The pro-life grassroots were excited and mobilized to flip the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. Pro-life engagement helped guide like-minded candidates across the finish line in the most competitive races.
“Life is always an important part of the conversation,” said Sen. Scott, who pointed to the efficacy of issues like unborn pain legislation. According to Scott, drawing attention to the pain unborn children feel in late abortions is “helpful and moves the conversation to where people are on our side.” Quinnpiac University polling found that 60% of Americans, including the majority of women, support legislation to protect pain-capable unborn children.
In 2015, the horror of dismemberment abortions is also entering the larger conversation on abortion. In Kansas, legislation to protect unborn babies from dismemberment abortions will be introduced this session. In a similar way that the issue of pain draws attention to the humanity of the unborn child, the debate over dismemberment abortions also sheds light on the appallingly gruesome methods by which unborn babies are killed.
“Dismemberment abortion kills a baby by tearing her apart limb from limb,” said National Right to Life Director of State Legislation Mary Spaulding Balch, J.D. “Before the first trimester ends, the unborn child has a beating heart, brain waves, and every organ system in place. Dismemberment abortions occur after the baby has reached these milestones.”
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At the March for Life, we speak out against the violent injustice that has been perpetuated for 42 years against the youngest, most defenseless members of the human family.
But it doesn’t end once we complete the March route.
Throughout the year, the work continues. It’s imperative to harness the energy of the March for Life and channel it into our ongoing efforts to educate the public, change hearts and minds, and fight for laws that protect the lives of every American, born and unborn.
“The fight ends with victory and success,” noted Sen. Scott.
