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The pro-life movement suffered a heavy loss in Kansas when an amendment to allow the state’s legislature to regulate and even ban abortion in the state did not pass a referendum vote.
And, in a solidly Republican state, it wasn’t even close—the amendment lost by 18 points.
The reasons behind the result are many. First, the democrats were able to mobilize almost all their voters. Approximately 570,000 people voted for Joe Biden in Kansas in the 2020 election, while roughly 540,000 voted against the amendment last week. In comparison, 770,000 Republicans voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 election, while only 378,000 voted for the amendment.
Likewise, the amendment would have allowed the state legislature to ban abortion or establish a Heartbeat Bill, which is sadly not as popular as we’d imagine. Most Americans favor some restrictions on abortion, but they look closer to what we see in Europe (12–15-week limits, with waiting periods, and sometimes mandatory ultrasounds) than what some Republicans are proposing.
Overturning Roe v. Wade was the biggest victory of the pro-life movement since its inception. But it was achieved because pro-life activists and politicians understood this was a marathon, not a 40-yard sprint.
And this is the moment to continue with the same mentality.
The pro-life movement must act according to prudence—the biggest political virtue.
Prudence is not cowardice. Prudence does not mean surrendering your beliefs or goals. Prudence is the virtue of choosing the appropriate means to achieve virtuous goals, therefore, it is the most important political virtue. It is the virtue of strategy.
The goal is the very same: making abortion not only illegal but unthinkable.
But we must understand that overturning Roe v. Wade had a negative impact on the pro-life movement on public opinion toward abortion. Fewer people describe themselves as pro-life than a decade ago, and abortion is becoming an important issue that is mobilizing young democrats. The outcome in Kansas proves so.
So, what does acting with prudence mean?
It means not allowing abortion to be at the forefront of issues in the upcoming November midterms. We have nothing to win with that.
And it means avoiding contentious confrontations in state legislatures where Republicans don’t enjoy large majorities or referendums on the issue. Democrats are moving all their electoral machinery and money to these races. Republicans must understand that they must not think that they will automatically win—not even in the safest, more conservative states.
And it also means focusing on pro-life legislation instead of mere restrictions on abortion. Start showing that your money is where your mouth is.
Georgia now allows people to claim unborn babies as dependents in their tax declaration. Republicans have proposed a number of child tax credits and paid family leave policies.
That should be only the start of a slew of federal and state pro-life legislation including child tax credits, tax exemptions for mothers, reducing costs (or outright eliminating them) of childbirth and childcare, and enacting generous paid family leave legislation, preferably at the state level.
The ultimate goal is not just banning abortion, but eliminating its practice. Of course, making it illegal is an important step, but even more important is creating a culture where life is cherished, protected, and respected from conception to its natural end—showing mothers and fathers to be that life is a worthy choice and the laws of the country and the state are not an impediment to that end.
If Republicans really want to end abortion in the country, they must choose the more prudent, strategic path: Focus on legislation that is widely popular that actually make life easier for mothers and father and build for that. Avoid, when possible and necessary, putting abortion restrictions at the forefront of the political agenda this fall.
Six weeks ago, when Roe v. Wade was overturned was the time for celebration. Now is the time for prudence. Or we’ll never live to see the U.S. become a pro-life country.
Edgar is political scientist and philosopher. He defends the Catholic intellectual tradition. Edgar writes about religion, ideology, culture, US politics, abortion, and the Supreme Court. Twitter: @edgarjbb_ // Edgar es politólogo y filósofo. Defiende la tradición intelectual católica. Edgar escribe sobre religión, ideología, cultura, política doméstica, aborto y la Corte Suprema. Twitter: @edgarjbb_