Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Upheld

The Pro-life movement scored a major victory this month. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal ban on partial-birth abortion in a narrow 5-4 decision. It is the first time the court has upheld a ban on a specific abortion procedure. Justices Roberts, Alito, Kennedy, Scalia and Thomas voted to uphold the ban on partial-birth abortion. Justice Ginsberg, Souter, Breyer and Stevens voted to overturn the ban.

Partial-birth abortions are performed by partially delivering a live baby feet first before the abortionist stabs the baby in the back of the head and removes her brains. In 2000, the United States Supreme Court struck down dozens of state partial-birth abortion bans in the infamous Carhart v. Stenburg decision. Pro-abortion activists claimed that banning the procedure would harm the health of women. However, they could offer no evidence that the horrific procedure was ever medically necessary. Partial- birth abortions were performed on healthy mothers of healthy babies.

When President Bill Clinton vetoed the ban twice, pro-life forces did not give up. They continued to keep the issue before the American people and worked diligently to elect a pro-life president. President George W. Bush was able to make two key appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court that made this victory possible. In 2003, a pro-life controlled Congress passed the federal ban again and President Bush signed it into law. This victory is the direct result of the tireless efforts of thousands of volunteers. Every person that labeled a newsletter, participated in a lit drop, collected signatures on petitions or gave financial donations made the difference. Babies will live because of those efforts.

This is only the beginning. Even though pro-lifers won this court victory, a pro-abortion majority still exists on the Supreme Court. The 2008 presidential elections will play a key role in when Roe v. Wade will fall. Americans will have to elect another pro-life president and return control of Congress to pro-lifers in order to establish a pro-life Supreme Court. To see this victory lead to the fall of Roe v. Wade, pro-lifers must redouble their efforts and continue the fight for life.