The first thing a pro-life president should do if elected in 2024 is call the federal government off harassing pro-lifers, former Vice President Mike Pence said, and the abortion pill should be pulled from the market.
Pence appeared at the Students for Life of America (SFLA) National Pro-Life Summit Jan. 20, sitting down for a Q&A with SFLA President Kristan Hawkins at the start of the event. In addition to the issues of government targeting pro-life advocates and chemical abortion, Pence spoke about the importance for pro-lifers of family, marriage, and faith in God.
Pence’s response to the question of what a pro-life president should first do if elected in 2024 comes as Mark Houck, arguably the most notable case of weaponized government attacks on pro-life advocates, is suing the DOJ for ‘malicious and retaliatory prosecution,’ and the availability of the chemical abortion pill is before the Supreme Court.
“I think that our new president should direct the new attorney general to suspend all efforts to harass pro-life activists in America,” Pence said to cheers. “And frankly I think they should pull the abortion pill off the market.”
“I believe those are two urgent causes and I think we have to step forward and make that happen on day one,” Pence said.
Pence addressed the pro-life summit two years ago months in advance of the overturn of Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs decision. He said at the time that the pro-life movement loves both the mother and the baby in an unplanned pregnancy. And he exhorted the young people in attendance to pray for Roe to be sent to the ash heap of history.
Pence followed up on that idea at the 2024 pro-life summit while answering another question on how the pro-life generation should think about voting, saying Roe had in fact gone to the ash heap of history.
A sorting out of things takes place in the primaries, he said.
“But after the primary's over, you vote pro-life and you go get behind men and women that are going to stand for the right to life,” Pence said.
“Look, I think the cause of life is the calling of our time,” he said.
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“When the Dobbs decision came down, it was extraordinary,” Pence said. “Some 50 years of heartbreak, 50 years of loss, 62 million lives lost. Yet because of the persistence and faith, many of the people gathered in this room with hair the same color as me, we've sent Roe v. Wade to the ash heap of history.”
This was not the end of the fight, he said, it was the end of the beginning.
“And I really do believe that from this point forward, every single one of us has to resolve that we are going to work every day to elect men and women to every office in the land until we restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law,” Pence said.
Hawkins asked Pence how to answer the pro-abortion side saying that it's too hard to take care of children, especially in the current economy.
Pence said it’s important to elect a Republican president and Republican Congress in 2024 because tax cuts put into effect in the Trump-Pence administration will otherwise go away in 2025. He said if another Democrat administration follows, taxes will go up and the economy will continue to struggle, and it is important to advance policies that will create a booming economy.
Pence further cited the slate of life-affirming measures advanced and introduced by pro-life lawmakers just prior to the event, stating, “I think we've got to make sure that that expectant mothers on college campuses have their rights protected and they can pursue their education.”
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Pence was asked how to encourage adoption in both the law and communities.
“I believe there is no unwanted child in America,” Pence said.
He shared his and wife Karen’s struggle to get pregnant and preparation to adopt. They prayed and trusted the Lord, eventually having their own children.
Pence discussed the cost of adoption and advocated reducing the cost using the tax code and tax credits.
“We've got to do a better job as a nation to make that happen,” he said.
In response to the question of the key to marital success - Pence and his wife married for 38 years - Pence said, “marrying up and putting my faith in Jesus Christ.”
“When you put your faith in your family first you can change the world,” he said.
Hawkins asked Pence, “What’s something that people don't know about you, but you wish that they really did?
His reply, “The highest title I'll ever hold is DAD.”
“I was a leader in the Congress of the United States. I got to be governor of my home state. I got to be your vice president for four years, the greatest privilege of my life,” said Pence. “But nothing will compare to the privilege of being married to that woman and raising three incredible kids, seeing them marry three wonderful people.”
Pence is scheduled to speak at SFLA’s National Celebrate Life Rally June 22.
