Ending on a Low Note (SBA)

A lot has happened today in the world of politics that will surely affect the pro-life community, and I want to give you an update.
Congressman Bart Stupak today announced his retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives.   It is unfortunate that, after years of pro-life leadership, Rep. Stupak caved during the final hours of the healthcare debate and voted to fund abortions with taxpayer dollars.  In the days leading up to the healthcare vote our polling in the first district of Michigan showed that seventy-eight percent of his constituents said they opposed taxpayer funding of abortion.  Votes have consequences and he understands now what the polling revealed:  a vote for that bill was a vote against the will of his constituents.  Yet he chose to do it and is suffering the consequences.  Rep. Stupak’s retirement now opens up the opportunity for the pro-life majority in his district to elect someone who will stand firm for Life and uphold the principles the voters elected them to uphold.


In other retirement news, Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens announced his departure when the Supreme Court recesses in early summer.  This paves the way for a second Obama appointment to the Supreme Court. Obama’s nominee will surely be an ardent pro-abortion supporter and will continue to uphold Roe v. Wade.  It is necessary to reach out to Members of the Senate and urge them to vote against the confirmation of any nominee with a pro-abortion past.


These two retirements cause us to look to the future and focus on the fact that votes have consequences.  It is essential to elect a solidly pro-life candidate into Bart Stupak’s now open seat.  We also need to let our voices be heard and encourage President Obama to nominate a Justice that will uphold the right to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness," as well as encourage Senators to vote against the confirmation of any nominee whose record shows they will not hold up these principles.


We’ve made sure that Representative Stupak knows that votes have consequences; let’s make sure that the President and Members of the Senate hear this same message loud and clear.

For Life,



Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org