Michael New, visiting assistant professor, business, published commentary in National Review Online on a pair of pro-life ballot propositions in West Virginia and Oregon.
The 2018 midterm elections are certainly important for pro-lifers. If Republicans maintain control of the Senate, it would be far easier to confirm constitutionalist judges who would be likely to uphold state and federal pro-life laws. If Republicans are able to hold on to majorities in both the House and Senate – that would make it easier to pass a variety of protective pro-life laws at the federal level, including the Pain Capable Abortion Protection Act which would protect unborn children after 20 weeks of gestation.
While federal elections are garnering a great deal of attention, voters in both West Virginia and Oregon will have the unique opportunity to protect unborn children through direct democracy.
On November 6th, West Virginia residents will have the chance to vote on Amendment 1 and Oregon residents will have the chance to vote on Measure 106. Both ballot measures are similar. Each would amend its respective state’s constitution to prevent taxpayers from having to pay for elective abortions through the state’s Medicaid program. The federal Hyde Amendment largely prevents the federal government from paying for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, and life of the mother. However, 17 states, including Oregon and West Virginia, use state taxpayer dollars pay for elective abortions for women on Medicaid. ...
Continue reading in National Review Online.