Pro-Life Hopes for the Upcoming Administration
With Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day on the horizon, many pro-life leaders are eagerly discussing what they hope the next administration will do to protect the unborn and push back against pro-abortion policies.
Despite some past controversies, pro-life advocates are optimistic that Trump’s second term will see concrete action in areas that align with their values, especially in a post-Roe world.
Undoing Pro-Abortion Policies
One of the biggest concerns for pro-life groups is reversing policies set by the Biden administration that fund abortion providers both domestically and abroad.
Pro-life experts are particularly focused on cutting taxpayer dollars to abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood.
Between 2019 and 2021, U.S. taxpayers contributed $1.6 billion to Planned Parenthood, which averages about $533 million annually.
Pro-life advocates are hopeful that the Trump administration will take steps to end this funding. Michael New,
a professor at The Catholic University of America, has expressed optimism that the administration will be more aggressive in defunding organizations like Planned Parenthood.
Some believe the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, could help reduce such funding while also cutting the federal budget deficit.
International Abortion Funding
On the global stage, pro-lifers are also urging Trump to restore the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits the U.S. from funding international abortion providers.
Biden rescinded this policy early in his term, and now pro-life advocates are hoping Trump will reinstate it.
Joseph Meaney, president of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, calls this policy one of the most critical to restore in order to stop the U.S. government from indirectly funding abortion services abroad.
Regulating the Abortion Pill
Another major focus for pro-life advocates is regulating the abortion pill, which has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Pro-life experts want the administration to reinstate requirements for medical professionals to report complications from chemical abortions, a rule that was removed in 2016.
Alison Centofante, a spokesperson for Americans United for Life, believes that the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) should be applied to the abortion pill to ensure its safety.
She argues that without these safety protocols, women face increased risks of hemorrhage, infection, and other life-threatening complications.
Additionally, there is concern over the rise of telemedicine for chemical abortions, where women can receive abortion pills through the mail Pro-life groups, like Live Action, are calling for an immediate end to this practice, as they believe it exposes women to dangerous health risks without proper medical oversight.
Supporting Families with Pro-Family Policies
In a post-Roe landscape, pro-life advocates are also pushing for policies that help families thrive.
Live Action’s Noah Brandt suggests that the new administration should focus on making the U.S. more family-friendly, for example by expanding the child tax credit.
Centofante echoes this sentiment, advocating for policies that support mothers and families at every stage of life, from pregnancy through child-rearing.
Melanie Israel of the Heritage Foundation stresses that helping families feel empowered to choose life is crucial.
Rather than forcing women to feel as though abortion is their only option, pro-life advocates want to see more support for families, including financial assistance and resources to help women carry their pregnancies to term.
Addressing Bioethics in Fertility Treatments
Another area of concern for pro-life leaders is in vitro fertilization (IVF), a fertility treatment that often leads to the destruction or freezing of embryos.
While IVF is widely promoted as a solution to infertility, pro-life experts like Joseph Meaney point out that it can result in the death of many embryos, with some estimates suggesting that more children die from IVF than from abortion each year.
Trump has faced criticism from pro-life leaders for his support of IVF, but many hope his administration will take steps to address the bioethical issues surrounding this practice, perhaps by considering alternatives like restorative reproductive medicine.
Some are also calling for the reinstatement of the President’s Council on Bioethics to help guide policies on emerging biomedical issues.
Appointing Pro-Life Leaders
Another key area of focus for pro-life advocates is the makeup of the next administration’s Cabinet.
Pro-life groups are calling for the appointment of individuals who will protect pro-life policies and ensure that funding is not used for abortion.
In particular, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are seen as crucial departments where leadership can make a significant impact.
Pro-life leaders have expressed concern over the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the HHS, but some are hopeful that, if confirmed, he will support pro-life policies like reinstating the Mexico City Policy and protecting the conscience rights of health care providers.
At the DOJ, pro-life advocates are looking to Trump’s pick for Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to end the prosecution of pro-life activists under the FACE Act and take a stand for the rights of those who oppose abortion.
Moving Forward in the Post-Roe Era
As the country moves further into a post-Roe era, pro-life advocates are looking to the new administration to protect both the unborn and women.
They are optimistic that policies will emerge that not only reduce abortion rates but also provide practical resources to help families succeed.
From defunding Planned Parenthood to restoring international abortion policies, the pro-life movement is hopeful that the next administration will be one that actively supports life at all stages.
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