WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Monday, July 13, U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang suspended the FDA rule, which among other things, requires a woman to have an in-person doctor’s visit before undergoing a chemical (“medication”) abortion during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Associated Press, Judge Chuang “concluded that the ‘in-person requirements’ for patients seeking medication abortion care impose a ‘substantial obstacle’ to abortion patients.” Judge Chuang’s “ruling will allow healthcare providers to arrange for mifepristone to be mailed or delivered to patients” during the pandemic. “We are dismayed at Judge Chuang’s decision to suspend the FDA requirement,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “The end goal of the abortion industry is to have the drugs sent through the mail making possible ‘Do-It-Yourself’ abortions. However, this is not some benign ‘take-two-aspirin’ treatment.” Under the FDA’s “Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy” (REMS), only FDA-approved entities can distribute mifepristone, one of the two-drugs that make up the medication abortion technique. Continue reading

National Right to Life Praises U.S. Supreme Court Decision for Upholding the Right of Conscience in Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania WASHINGTON, JUNE 8, 2020—The U.S. Supreme Court this morning ruled in favor of the Little Sisters of the Poor in a decision that protected the elderly nuns’ right of conscience. The vote was 7-2 with Justice Clarence Thomas writing the opinion of the Court. President Trump’s appointees Justice Kavanaugh and Justice Gorsuch joined Chief Justice Roberts andJustice Alitoin the majority opinion offered by Justice Thomas. Justices Kagan and Breyer concurred with the Court’s judgment with Justice Kagan writing a concurring opinion joined by Justice Breyer. “One of our most fundamental rights is the right to the free exercise of our beliefs and that these beliefs are not trampled by government overreach,”said CarolTobias, president of National Right to Life.“We are pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the importance of protecting conscience rights.” The case against the Little Sisters of the Poor is part of a long-standing attempt by pro-abortion groups and their allies, going back decades, to chip away at conscience rights protections. The Supreme Court heard a vigorous debate over whether these Catholic nuns, and others with religious and moral objections, are bound by a mandate issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under a provision of ObamaCare. The mandate would force them to provide health insurance coverage for products and procedures they find “morally unacceptable.” Continue reading

U.S. Supreme Court Remands Indiana Ultrasound and Parental Notifications Appeals to United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit WASHINGTON, JULY 2, 2020 — As the U.S. Supreme Court reaches the end of its current term, the Justices today granted writs of certiorari in two of three Indiana abortion appeals cases vacating the decisions and sending them back to the lower court for further review. “We are pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the importance of these laws by sending them back to the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals for review,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. In Indiana, the ultrasound law requires that a woman seeking an abortion is given the opportunity to view an ultrasound of her unborn baby at least 18 hours prior to an abortion. This law was blocked by the Seventh Circuit. The U.S. Supreme Court also sent back to the Seventh Circuit for review a parental notification law which the Seventh Circuit had blocked. Studies continue to show the positive impacts these laws have in significantly reducing the rates of abortion, birth, and pregnancy rates among minors. “A woman has the right to know what her child looks like before making an irreversible decision that takes the life of her child,” said Tobias. “Parents also have the right to be involved in their minor daughter’s abortion decision.” “Parental involvement laws have been upheld for decades so the prospect of Indiana's law being upheld is good. And Indiana's ultrasound law presents a novel question but also does not create a substantial obstacle to access to abortion, so it too should be upheld,” said James Bopp, Jr., General Counsel to National Right to Life. “Of course, the pro-abortion Justices want to strike these laws now but Republican-appointed Justices refused to do this. The stark choice this November could not be clearer.” Continue reading

TENNESSEE RIGHT TO LIFE CONDEMNS SUPREME COURT RULING BASIC SAFEGUARDS FOR WOMEN STRUCK DOWN NASHVILLE, JUNE 29, 2020 - Leaving health and lives of women and unborn children at risk, the U.S. Supreme Court today ruled against basic regulation of abortion facilities. "Those who believe an abortion ban will be upheld as constitutional should note the lack of votes for the most basic protections for women and children," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life. The state's oldest and largest pro-life organization criticized today's ruling as unfair, unjust, and unwise. "Women seeking abortions have, at a minimum, the right to be fully informed in a facility inspected by the state department of health (TDOH.)" "Abortion profiteers care nothing about women's health much less the right to life of unborn children." Pro-life advocates must reevaluate our legislative strategies to determine the most effective way to save women and children from the pain and destruction of abortion decisions. # # #

For immediate release: Monday June 29, 2020 For more information: Laura Echevarria, (202) 626-8825, [email protected] National Right to Life Says U.S. Supreme Court Wrong in June Medical, L.L.C. v. Russo WASHINGTON— Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Louisiana’s 2014 “Unsafe Abortion Protection Act” in a 5-4 decision. The law was before the High Court in June Medical Services, L.L.C. v. Russo. “We are extremely disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Louisiana’s 2014 ‘Unsafe Abortion Protection Act,’” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Louisiana’s law leaves women vulnerable.” President Trump’s appointees Justice Kavanaugh and Justice Gorsuch joined Justices Alito and Thomas in dissenting from the decision and voting to uphold Louisiana’s protective law. "We are pleased that the two Justices appointed by President Trump voted to protect women and to uphold the Louisiana pro-life law. However, Chief Justice Roberts' vote is a big disappointment. He is apparently adhering to an extreme view of stare decisis,” said James Bopp, Jr., general counsel for National Right to Life. “This decision demonstrates how difficult it is to drain the D.C. swamp and how important it is that President Trump gets re-elected so that he may be able to appoint more pro-life Justices.” Continue reading

Early this morning, June 19th, the Tennessee Senate passed legislation that includes Tennessee Right to Life's priority Abortion Pill Reversal Act, Senate Bill 2465/House Bill 2568  . Sponsored by Senator Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville), Representative Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) and Representative Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby), the law will require abortion facilities to display signage informing women that a chemical (RU486) abortion may be reversed following the first dose of a two-pill protocol. It also requires a physician to directly provide the same information during informed consent, 48 hours prior to the abortion procedure. The Pro-Life bill was passed by the Senate 23 - 5. Last week the state House led the way in passing the Tennessee Right to Life legislation 71-22-1. Please thank the sponsors for their work and dedication towards protecting women and unborn children. Click Here to Thank the Sponsors Today! Continue reading

For immediate release: Monday, June 15, 2020 Planned Parenthood’s New Best Friend: Joe Biden WASHINGTON—The following statement can be attributed to Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life: Planned Parenthood’s new best friend is Joe Biden who supports abortion on demand and taxpayer funding for abortion. In his career as a U.S. Senator, Joe Biden voted for the pro-life Hyde Amendment. However, as the more extreme elements of the Democrat Party took control, Biden flip-flopped last year. His endorsement today by the Parenthood Action Fund is the result of his mental gymnastics and desire for political gain. Planned Parenthood performed 345,672 abortions in 2018 continuing its role as the nation’s single largest abortion provider. Planned Parenthood and their pro-abortion allies repeatedly scorn any restrictions on abortion or any protective legislation for women and their unborn children. The Democrat Party and its presumptive presidential nominee, former vice president Joe Biden, have kowtowed to this radicalism. Planned Parenthood has even gone so far as to trample on the rights of conscience, filing an amicus brief opposing the Little Sisters of the Poor in their case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Joe Biden has embraced Planned Parenthood’s zeal for abortion on demand, at any time, for any reason—and funded by taxpayers. President Trump and his administration have made a commitment to protect all innocent human life. The stark contrast between Joe Biden and President Trump could not be greater. Planned Parenthood has characterized this election as “a life and death election.” On this we can agree. If Joe Biden wins in November, more babies and more babies will die. Continue reading

Contact Your State Senator Today for Action on Bill Urgent: Please Contact Your State Senator Today The Tennessee Senate has placed the Abortion Pill Reversal Act, Senate Bill 2465 sponsored by Senator Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville), on a calendar that they are not planning to consider this session. The bill would require abortion facilities to display signage informing women that a chemical abortion may be reversed following the first dose of a two-pill protocol and requires a physician to provide the same information during informed consent, 48 hours prior to the abortion procedure. Last week, the state House overwhelmingly passed the legislation by a vote of 71-22-1. Before the legislation can become law, the Senate must take action. Please contact your state Senator today and ask for SB 2465 to be considered in the state Senate before adjourning for the year. Continue reading

National Right to Life Says 6th Circuit Decision Allowing Dismemberment Abortion Was Wrong For immediate release: Friday, June 5, 2020 WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Tuesday, a divided 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel upheld a permanent injunction granted in 2019 by U.S. District Judge Joseph McKinley, who found Kentucky’s House Bill 454 unconstitutional on the grounds that the law would create a “substantial obstacle” to a woman’s right to an abortion. House Bill 454 would have prevented living unborn babies from being torn apart limb by limb. Currently, 12 states have passed dismemberment laws. Of those, two are in effect and one is partially in effect. “It was wrong for the 6th Circuit to allow these cruel dismemberment abortions to continue,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “A living baby is torn apart, limb from limb, while in her mother’s womb. It’s a horrific death for an unborn child.” Continue reading