By Wanda Franz, Ph.D.

We are here today to thank Senator Joe Manchin for his pro-life position over the lifetime of his political career. He has regularly voted for bills to limit abortion and the funding of abortion. He has been an outspoken critic of plans by the current Biden-Harris administration to end the filibuster in the Senate and to reverse the Hyde Amendment that has prevented taxpayer dollars from paying for abortions in the Federal Medicaid system. He has taken a principled position in response to some of the draconian changes proposed by Democrats to force progressive policies on America.

Senator Manchin knows West Virginians are pro-life, and he is in a position to block the pro-abortion agenda of the new Democrat administration. We, the people of West Virginia, have to make our voices heard on Capitol Hill to help save America from this culture of death.

First, we have to let Senator Manchin know that we oppose Biden’s appointment of Xavier Becerra as the next Secretary of Health & Human Services. He has no meaningful healthcare experience. He is a professional politician from California with a history of opposition to pro-life policies, including a vote against the ban on partial-birth abortion. Make your voices heard—tell Manchin to vote “no” on Becerra.

Second, a very dangerous effort is underway in the Biden administration to revive the Equal Rights Amendment that was introduced in 1972 but failed to receive enough votes from the states to make it part of the U.S. Constitution. This dangerous Amendment would remove virtually all the laws we have passed here in West Virginia to protect women and limit funding for abortions. S.J. Res. 6 is likely an unconstitutional law designed to revive an amendment that had passed its due date for passage. Make your voices heard—tell Mancin to vote “no” on the ERA.

Third, the “Equality Act” is one of the most pro-abortion pieces of legislation ever. It would create a right to demand abortion from health care providers, putting most pro-life legislation at risk. Make your voices heard—tell Manchin to vote “no” on the Equality Act.

Fourth, the so-called “For the People Act” would severely impede the exercise of our constitutional rights, and the rights and privacy of our donors. It would limit the free speech ability of West Virginians for Life to discuss voting records and incumbents’ positions by control of that speech, and it would force West Virginians for Life to disclose the private information of our donors, thus exposing our members to harassment and intimidation. Make your voices heard—tell Manchin to vote “no” on the For the People Act.

There are two bills that are supported by National Right to Life and WV for Life: the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act and the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. He should be encouraged to vote for these pieces of legislation.