When Vice President Johnson expresses his desire to “uphold the sanctity of life in American law,” it’s clear he’s not prioritizing women’s lives. In his fervor to eliminate access to safe abortions, he is endangering countless women.
In a recent address to a gathering of anti-abortion activists, Johnson proclaimed that “life is once again thriving in America.” He highlighted the “significant advancements” this administration has made in limiting legal abortion access both domestically and internationally. With pride, he mentioned the reinstated Mexico City Policy, which cuts U.S. funding for organizations that provide abortions abroad, and his crucial vote to pass legislation allowing states to defund organizations like Planned Parenthood.
It’s perplexing: how can an administration that consistently undermines access to safe, affordable healthcare claim to value life? How can a so-called “pro-life” movement so blatantly ignore the health and wellbeing of women in America and around the globe? This isn’t a new narrative from our vice president, who is known as one of the most anti-abortion figures in Washington. What’s more shocking is his implication that banning abortion equates to honoring life. This notion is not only misleading but egregiously false.
Criminalizing abortion doesn’t stop women from seeking them; it merely makes the procedure perilous. Historical evidence demonstrates that when abortion is illegal, women are forced to resort to unsafe methods. According to the Guttmacher Policy Review, illegal abortions caused the deaths of over 2,700 women in 1930 alone, accounting for about 18% of all maternal fatalities that year. Moving into the 1950s and 60s, the figures remained alarming, with an estimated 200,000 to 1.2 million illegal abortions performed, contributing to 17% of maternal deaths.
Women who pursue unsafe abortions often face severe health complications, including infections from botched procedures. Wealthier women typically have better outcomes because they can access private doctors willing to perform risky abortions, while poorer and minority women are left to face dire consequences. If abortion were to be banned today, history would likely repeat itself.
In 2014, more than 650,000 women in the U.S. underwent abortions. Does Vice President Johnson genuinely think that outlawing abortion will deter hundreds of thousands of women from making decisions about their own bodies? It’s clear that such legislation would only push women toward dangerous, illegal alternatives.
Let’s consider the women who might feel compelled to avoid illegal abortions due to the associated risks. Before you celebrate that, Mr. Johnson, remember that many of those children could be born into poverty or abusive situations. They could arrive in homes where the mothers feel unprepared or unwilling to raise them. You might suggest adoption, but that path carries its own psychological burdens and requires a woman to endure a pregnancy, which can be distressing, especially in cases of incest or rape. Is the mental health of these women not equally important?
And when these children are born, what kind of healthcare will they receive? The Republican party has previously tried to leverage funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to advance their agendas. This funding is essential for low-income families, and it’s hypocritical to claim to value life while endangering the health of children.
If the vice president were genuinely committed to protecting life, he would advocate for improved access to contraception and more comprehensive sex education. Research indicates that expanding access to contraceptives effectively reduces unwanted pregnancies and, consequently, abortion rates.
Unfortunately, Vice President Johnson appears to overlook this reality. Despite the abortion rate being at its lowest since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, he and the anti-choice movement are determined to revert to the perilous era of unsafe abortions. This approach does not protect human life.
The facts are undeniable: making abortion illegal endangers women’s lives. It will not “restore the sanctity of life” but rather inflict physical and psychological harm on countless women. Be cautious with your words, Mr. Vice President. Women’s lives are sacred too, and we will not stand for anyone who suggests otherwise.
Time’s up!
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Summary
Making abortion illegal does not protect lives; it endangers women by pushing them towards unsafe procedures. The administration’s anti-abortion stance contradicts the true value of life, ignoring the physical and mental health of women. If we genuinely want to uphold the sanctity of life, we must support women’s access to safe reproductive healthcare, contraception, and comprehensive education.
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