Several pro-life leader statements are below in reaction to Scott Brown’s win and what it means for healthcare and government-funded abortion.
Tony Perkins
President, Family Research Council
“For a Senate seat, considered to be in the left-hand column into eternity, the results of the Massachusetts race is near revolutionary. It is clear from the national involvement in this race that it was more of a referendum on the liberal agenda of the Obama Administration. While the individual candidates were important, it was the respective banners they marched under that was the deciding factor. Coakley marched under the banner of the President’s big government agenda embroidered with healthcare reform. Brown marched under the opposing standard – and won.”
Kristan Hawkins
Executive Director, Students for Life of America
“The election of Senator-elect Brown has shown that Americans, regardless of their political affiliation, do not support the pro-death policies in the current health care reform legislation before Congress. The unborn won last night. Now its time to see if Congressional leaders will allow them their chance at life.”
Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
“On the heels of last fall’s victories by Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie, Scott Brown’s victory is just the beginning of the consequences Congressional incumbents will face this November. Anyone who votes to advance health care legislation that funds abortion on-demand should consider themselves on notice.
“The election is just one more sign of the overreach of the President and Congress. The American people have spoken tonight. Further, Martha Coakley’s defeat is not a setback for women in politics, it is a victory. Scott Brown’s success is a win for the majority of American women who demand authentic representation that reflects commonsense pro-life views, like abortion funding restrictions and conscience protections.
“Martha Coakley’s extreme embrace of abortion may have endeared her to EMILY’s List and the abortion lobby, but it did little to win votes today. Abortion is never good for women, and it should never be a legitimate aspect of any ‘health care’ debate. The message is clear, abortion is not health care. Americans should not be forced to fund it, and medical providers of faith should not be forced to participate in it.”
Wendy Wright
President, Concerned Women of America
“President Obama’s and liberal congressmen’s arrogance cost them something they care about — the Senate seat once held by Ted Kennedy. Sweetheart deals behind closed doors, passing unread bills, funding abortion groups and pornography, spending obscene amounts of money — and then they mocked the tea parties and slandered crowds who dared ask questions at town hall meetings.
“Massachusetts’ citizens know what ObamaCare would be like – their state passed oppressive health care ‘reform’ that subsidizes abortions. They’re paying the high prices and getting less health care because of it.
“But that doesn’t mean President Obama, Sen. Reid or Rep. Pelosi will listen to this extraordinary message. They never quit – they just get sneakier. As Nancy Pelosi vowed, ‘Let’s remove all doubt, we will have healthcare one way or another.’ The question is: will her troops follow her over the cliff?”
David Bereit
National Director, 40 Days for Life
“On the week of the 37th anniversary of the unjust Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, the liberal state of Massachusetts has decisively elected Scott Brown who campaigned on the promise to vote against abortion-laden health care reform. This vote is a clear referendum to President Obama, Congress, and abortion industry lobbyists: NO abortion in health care!”
Dorinda C. Bordlee
Vice President and Senior Counsel, Bioethics Defense Fund
“This historic election is a game-changer in the healthcare debate. It clearly reflects what polls show; namely that even pro-abortion rights citizens disagree with the Obama agenda of publically funding other people’s abortions and not respecting healthcare rights of conscience.”
Congressman Tom Price (GA-06)
“As Washington could use a large dose of responsible leadership, it is my pleasure to welcome Senator-elect Scott Brown to the United States Congress. Today, the people of Massachusetts cast a vote for common sense and a new approach to solving our many challenges. The American people will gain from Scott Brown’s principled outlook on job creation and health care reform, and I urge the Democrats in charge to responsibly seat him as promptly as possible.
“Tuesday’s outcome clearly stands as a rejection of the agenda being put forth by President Obama and his allies. The misguided ideas Democrats have promoted over the last year have done nothing but distance Americans from the prosperity they seek. It seems Washington Democrats have lost all touch with the wishes of the American people as they continue to march forth with a reckless health care plan and more government control over the economy.
“Tomorrow marks a new day in the debate over our nation’s health care system, and provides an opportunity for an out-of-touch Congress to show the American people that they are listening. Americans have spoken loudly: they seek a Congress that puts a higher priority on their wishes than those of political leaders. With a Republican now elected to the Senate in the bluest of states, it is my hope that Democrats in Washington will finally get the picture and drop the government takeover of health care.”
Patrick Vaughn
General Counsel, American Family Association
“Scott Brown’s election by the people of Massachusetts is a rejection of the government’s over-reaching into the lives of American families and individuals. American’s do not want government controlled health care, and certainly do not want government controlled abortions.”
Bradley Mattes
Executive Director, Life Issues Institute
“Two days before the 37th anniversary of Roe vs Wade, America awoke to a new Senate dynamic, one featuring Republican Massachusetts Senator-elect Scott Brown, who decisively defeated Democrat Martha Coakley, and in the process filled pro-abortion Ted Kennedy’s vacant seat and eliminated the Democrats’ 60-vote supermajority in the Senate. This victory is confirmation that mainstream America has rejected President Obama’s pro-abortion health care reform and should serve as momentum for future pro-life gains in the November midterm election. We look forward to working with Senator Brown to protect innocent human life from womb to tomb.”
Steven Ertelt,
Editor and CEO, LifeNews.com
“The election of Scott Brown over Martha Coakley in one of the most liberal and pro-abortion states in the country is a clear rejection of the government-run health care bill that would force taxpayers to fund abortions. The Obama-Democrats agenda has been to push this pro-abortion bill at all costs and the clear costs today are their seats in Congress.”
