Washington is the Most Pro-Abortion State in the Nation, But Here’s How Pro-Life Voters Can Help

State   |   Marjorie Dannenfelser and Luanne Van Werven   |   Nov 3, 2016   |   3:11PM   |   Olympia, WA

Washington has a reputation for being a “progressive” state. Sadly, this progressivism has become synonymous with abortion on demand. Washington is ranked last in the nation when it comes to protecting the right to life of innocent unborn children.

According to the State Department of Health, last year more than 17,500 abortions took place in the Evergreen State, and shockingly, state expenditures show nearly 60 percent were paid for with our tax dollars.

This is unacceptable. We believe real progress means more mothers empowered to dream, hope, and choose life for their children, not fewer.

Fortunately, we’re not the only ones challenging the so-called progressive status quo – many Washington voters have done so in past years through their choice of representatives. We urge them to make their voices heard again in this election by supporting pro-life candidates at all levels of government.

First, Washingtonians have the opportunity to send two outstanding women legislators, Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Jaime Herrera Beutler, back to Congress. These strong pro-life women have much in common. As both a mother of three (including a son with Down syndrome) and the highest ranking Republican woman in Congress, McMorris Rodgers has shown that, far from holding her back, her children are the inspiration that drives her passion for serving our country.

Herrera Beutler experienced any mother’s worst nightmare when her unborn daughter, Abigail, was diagnosed with Potter’s syndrome in-utero – a rare condition with a zero percent survival rate. In spite of overwhelming odds, Jaime and her husband were determined to fight for their daughter’s life. Their advocacy led to an innovative new treatment; success not only for their daughter, but for future children diagnosed with Potter’s Syndrome and their parents. Today, Abigail is a happy, healthy little girl. No one can claim that these women faced no challenges or cannot empathize with the fears and pressures other women experience – but through their courageous example, they send a message that love is stronger than fear and seemingly insurmountable difficulties can be overcome. Isn’t that the kind of role model we all desire for our kids?

Also on the ballot, running for State Auditor, is Mark Miloscia, a pro-life former Democrat who found himself unable to recognize his own party as abortion extremists took over. Miloscia had the guts and integrity to leave behind the Democratic party he saw abandon the vulnerable. Indeed, the Democratic party even no longer tolerates pro-life dissenters as a matter of conscience.

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For example, the party platform ratified in Philadelphia this summer calls for the repeal of the Hyde Amendment, longstanding bipartisan legislation that has saved lives and protected conscience rights for decades by stopping taxpayer funding of elective abortions under Medicaid.

The incredibly important office of State Auditor, which has the authority to investigate whistleblower cases and hold state government accountable for its use of taxpayer funds, must be overseen by someone trustworthy and principled – someone like Mark Miloscia. Over a year ago, the Center for Medical Progress released the first shocking undercover video implicating high-level employees of Planned Parenthood – America’s largest abortion business and the recipient of half a billion dollars in taxpayer funding annually – in the horrific practice of harvesting babies’ organs.

Recently, a California district attorney charged two companies with ties to Planned Parenthood with selling aborted babies’ organs for profit. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the obvious. Electing Pat McCarthy – who is endorsed by EMILY’s list, a radical pro-abortion group that opposes even the most modest pro-life reforms – to head this watchdog office would be a terrible mistake.

We urge all Washingtonians who want to see true progress to support Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Jaime Herrera Beutler, and Mark Miloscia in the upcoming election. With their leadership we can transform Washington so its record on protecting unborn children and their mothers is a source of pride and our state lives up to that “progressive” reputation.

LifeNews Note: Luanne Van Werven represents the 42nd Legislative District, which includes much of Whatcom County. She is a member of Susan B. Anthony List’s National Pro-life Women’s Caucus. Marjorie Dannenfelser is president of the Susan B. Anthony List, a national pro-life group dedicated to pursuing policies and electing candidates to reduce and ultimately end abortion.

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