NEWSLETTER: National Pro-life Women’s Caucus (Winter Newsletter)
March 10, 2015
Sue Swayze, Coordinator for the SBA List’s National Pro-life Women’s Caucus, recently sent a newsletter on the latest news for pro-life women lawmakers across the country.Â
 The Hon. Marilyn Musgrave, Director  |  Sue Swayze, Program CoordinatorÂ
WHATÂ HAPPENED?
The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act suffered a poorly-timed hiccup in Congress on January 22, the day of the March for Life in Washington. As the Editors at National Review put it, Republicans sadly “abdicated” on abortion. Please read the NR editors’ take for a summary on what happened with the bill and know that we believe efforts to get it back on track will be successful. We will persevere.
As Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser, said recently at CPAC, “Just saying you’re pro-life does not cut it anymore. The pro-life grassroots deserve and demand action that results in the saving of unborn children and the protection of their mothers.”
States to the Rescue! Pain-Capable bills in 6 States & Counting
While negotiations on the Pain-Capable Child Protection Act continue in Congress, many of you are stepping up and taking leadership in your states to pass the bill for the sake of our children.
West Virginia, Ohio, South Carolina, Maryland, New Mexico, and Kentucky and more have introduced Pain-Capable bills this session. West Virginia just passed HB 2568 and the bill was vetoed by the Governor, though we expect the legislature to override the veto; others may be passed in the next two weeks! They join the 13 states that have already enacted limits based on the unborn child’s ability to feel pain.
The Charlotte Lozier Institute, the education and research arm of SBA List, has several resources for your use in promoting the pain-capable bill. Click on the US map (right) to access their site and their various research papers confirming that children feel pain in the womb, a collection of blogs and other resources that you can use to establish a base of sound, factual research, including:
SBA List is proud of these NPLWC members (and soon to be members!) who are leading the charge.
Left to Right, Top row:Â WV Del. and Assistant Majority Whip Kelli Sobonya, WV Del. Kayla Kessinger, OH Sen. Peggy Lehner, OH Rep. Kristina Roegner. Bottom row:Â SC Rep. Wendy Nanney, SCÂ Rep. Donna Hicks, MD Del. Kathryn Afzali, MD Del. Kathy Szeliga
Making History in West Virginia:Â Q&AÂ with Delegate Jill Upson
As the first African-American Republican woman elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates, Jill Upson approaches her new role with optimism and tenacity. A military wife and mother, she describes the experience like dropping down into a foreign country and having to learn the language on the spot – the legislative experience is fast-paced and has its own set of rules and jargon. Endorsed by both the Chamber of Commerce and West Virginians for Life, Jill is enjoying getting up to speed on a variety of issues and talked with SBA List for our Q&A spotlight.
Why do we need pro-life women’s voices in the political process?
It is crucial that the voices of pro-life women are heard. The pro-abortion side has an enormous platform with media, entertainment, and public education. With the constant barrage of messages that devalue life, pro-life women must be on the front lines to boldly bring facts to the arena of misinformation that currently exists.
Why is it important for you to connect with other women leaders through the National Pro-Life Women’s Caucus (NPLWC)?
The strong women leaders in the NPLWC bring a wealth of knowledge, diverse experience, and a variety of ideas to share with me and other new legislators. Working with these motivated women to develop winning strategies to achieve pro-life goals is a tremendous opportunity for me.
What is your impression of the Susan B. Anthony List?
The Susan B. Anthony List has taken on the invaluable role of helping to elect pro-life candidates. Through its training, education, and financial support of legislators who will fight to protect women and unborn children, the Susan B. Anthony List is taking the bold steps needed to protect human rights.
JOINÂ US!
If you are a pro-life elected state official we would love to welcome you into the National Pro-Life Women’s Caucus! The Caucus aims to foster community, empower and connect pro-life women lawmakers across the country.
Photo: Honorable Marilyn Musgrave, Director of the National Pro-life Women’s Caucus, offers an encouraging word to pro-life women lawmakers gathered in Washington last December.
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
NPLWC Leadership Team member State Senator Mary Lazich (left) was sworn in as the President of the Wisconsin Senate on January 5, 2015. She is pictured here with the new Executive Director of Wisconsin Right to Life, Heather Weininger.
Dr. David Prentice, Vice President and Research Director for the Charlotte Lozier Institute, testified in the Indiana Senate on SB 334, a bill co-authored by Senator Liz Brown (to his right), to ban discrimination abortions due to sex or disability.
NPLWC Leadership Team member Wisconsin Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch meets with NPLWC Coordinator Sue Swayze (left). Sue participated in the Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Day on February 10th and met many strong advocates for life.
TOOLS YOUÂ CANÂ USE
States that have passed the
Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection
Act. Is yours on the list? Click for full map.
American United for Life’s
Defending Life 2015 A must-have! This state-by-state “playbook” has more than 50 pieces of model legislation, expert analysis, and 50 state report cards in a single nonpartisan guide for legislators. Click to learn more.
MOREÂ NEWS
Arizona Senator Nancy Barto,
member of NPLWC Leadership Team, has authored SB 1318 to ensure no plans under the Affordable Care
Act on AZ’s federally-run healthcare
exchange include elective abortion.
Indiana Senators Liz Brown (NPLWC member) and Travis Holdman
introduce SB 334 banning abortion for reasons of sex or disability discrimination.
Contributions or gifts to Susan B. Anthony List, Inc., a 501(c)(4) organization, are not tax-deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Donations may be used for political purposes such as supporting or opposing candidates. All donations are made to the general treasury of the Susan B. Anthony List, Inc., and are not designated for any particular purpose. Donation will be used in the sole discretion of the Officers and/or Board of Directors in accordance with the mission and purposes of the SBA List.
Where do your legislators stand on the right to life?
The SBA Pro-Life America National Pro-life Scorecard is a tool that helps hold members of Congress accountable for their legislative records on life and that highlights leadership in the fight to serve women and save babies.
As the first African-American Republican woman elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates, Jill Upson approaches her new role with optimism and tenacity. A military wife and mother, she describes the experience like dropping down into a foreign country and having to learn the language on the spot – the legislative experience is fast-paced and has its own set of rules and jargon. Endorsed by both the Chamber of Commerce and West Virginians for Life, Jill is enjoying getting up to speed on a variety of issues and talked with SBA List for our Q&A spotlight.
If you are a pro-life elected state official we would love to welcome you into the National Pro-Life Women’s Caucus! The Caucus aims to foster community, empower and connect pro-life women lawmakers across the country.
Indiana Senators Liz Brown (NPLWC member) and Travis Holdman
