The Georgia Pre-Natal Equal Protection Act (HB 496) was filed on Tuesday this week by Representative Emory Dunahoo. The Foundation to Abolish Abortion issued a press release this week concerning HB496 that stated, “Georgia HB 496 is the ninth bill of its kind to be filed in 2023 so far. It is currently co-sponsored by Representatives Charlice Byrd, Tyler Paul Smith, Danny Mathis, and Mitchell Horner. For more information, including a link to the bill, answers to frequently asked questions, and a section-by-section explanation of the bill, click here.”
Texas Abolition Bill Filed
State Representative Bryan Slaton filed HB 2709 in Texas this week. According to Abolish Abortion Texas, “The bill would provide the equal protection of the laws to every Texas preborn child and protect mothers from being pressured into abortions.” A video discussing the bill can be found on Abolish Abortion Texas’s Facebook page.
Kentucky’s equal protection bill, HB300, was filed on February 14th by Representative Emily Callaway. The following day, Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Kentucky Right to Life both released statements against HB 300 due to the fact it would allow mothers who murder their pre-born children to be criminally charged with homicide and provide our neighbors in the womb equal protection.
On Friday, February 17th, Abolish Abortion KY hosted a rally at the Capitol in Frankfort in support of the bill. Speakers included Brett Baggett from Rescue Those, Wesley Russell, Rusty Thomas, Jerry Dorris, Derin Stidd, and Steven Stanley. Representative Emily Callaway also spoke to the crowd and thanked them for their support for her as well as HB300. The archived livestream is available here. Kentucky Today also covered the rally and their article can be found here. Highlight from the rally can be found here.
Colorado Abolition Bill Fails in Committee
HB23-1119 was heard in the Health & Insurance Committee and the vote was 8-3 to postpone debate on the bill indefinitely.
Missouri Rally for Abolition Recap
Abolish Abortion Missouri hosted a rally on February 15th for their equal protection bills (HB818, SB356). The rally was held from 1:00-2:30 at the Capitol in Jefferson City. Speakers included Adam “Ray Ray” Cochrun, Josh Jenkins, Brandon Dodd, and Rusty Thomas.
Arizona Pastor’s Meeting Recap
End Abortion Now hosted an emergency Pastor’s meeting this week in Arizona concerning HB2760. Speakers included Jeff Durbin, Luke Pierson, Zachery Conover, Zack Morgan, Dennis Sarfate, and Daryl Groves. The livestream of the event can be found on Apologia Studios YouTube Channel.
Abolition Headlines
CR Cali hosted Rachel Burkey (Free the States) this week on his Resisting Balaam YouTube Channel about the upcoming Abolitionists Rising Conference.
Love of Truth Ministries announced their 5th annual Abolishing Abortion Conference and Mission. This years theme is Refining Abolition and will be hosted at Community Bible Church Bulverde in Spring Branch, April 13th-15th. The conference is free of charge and donations are welcome. More information on the conference and how to register can be found here.
Upcoming Events
2/25 – South Carolina Equal Protection Rally at the Capitol in Columbia at 11:00 local time.
3/1-4 – Abolitionists Rising Conference, Wichita, KS.
3/29 – Kansas Abolish Abortion Day at the Capitol in Topeka at 10:00 local time.
4/13-15 – Abolishing Abortion in Texas Conference and Mission
Abolition Bill Filed in Arizona/Pastors Meeting Announced
HB-2706 was filed on Tuesday and is sponsored by Representative Cory McGarr. According to a Facebook post from End Abortion Now, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Quang Nguyen, is attempting to not let the bill be heard. Please call 602-926-3258 and ask this bill have a hearing by committee without delay.
End Abortion Now also announced that an emergency Pastor’s/Church Leader’s Meeting will be held on February 15th at Arizona Community Church in Tempe at 11:00 local time. You can register for the event here.
Abolition Bill Filed in Colorado
HB23-1119 (Abolishing Abortion in Colorado) has been filed by Representative Scott Bottoms. It is scheduled for a hearing with the Health & Insurance Committee on February 17th.
Oklahoma Abolition Day Recap/Abolition Update
Free The States hosted their 4th Annual Abolition Day at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City with a one day Abolition Conference following at Edmond’s First Baptist. Speakers included Russell Hunter from Free the States, Brett Baggett and Dusty Deevers from Rescue Those, Bill Ascol, Blake Gideon, Chris Gore, and Nation Deevers. Recordings of the outdoor rally, indoor rally, and conference are available on Free the States YouTube channel.
Also in Oklahoma this week, three pro-life bills were passed out of committee with the support of Oklahomans for Life/National Right to Life. According to a Facebook update from Free the States, the three bills would allow for abortion clinics to re-open and preform abortions on children conceived in rape or incest, protect the “right” to abortifacient drugs and the “right” to iniquitous IVF practices as well as protect self-managed abortions. An equal protection bill (SB402) has been introduced in Oklahoma but has yet to be given a hearing. A recap of the committee hearing for the three pro-life bills is available from Free the States here.
South Carolina, Missouri, and Kansas Announce Capitol Rallies
Three states announced rallies this week to support their bills of equal protection.
Abolish Abortion South Carolina will host their Rally for Equal Protection on Saturday, February 25th at 11:00 EST. Speakers will include Rob Harris, who pre-filed House Bill 3549, Matt Brock, Bradley Pierce, and Jeff Durbin.
Abolish Abortion Missouri will be hosting an Abortion Abolition Rally on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at the Missouri State Capitol Building Rotunda. The rally will be from 1:00-2:30 local time.
AIM Kansas announced an Abolish Abortion Day at the Capitol in Topeka scheduled for March 29, 2023, at 10:00 local time. More information can be found here.
A Plea from G3 Concerning the Georgia Abolition Bill
Dr. Josh Buice, President of G3 Ministries and point Pastor for the Georgia Abolition Bill, put out the following plea on his Facebook Thursday: Greetings Georgia Christians, As you well know, the process is underway in Georgia to introduce the Equal Protection Act. However, Emory Dunahoo is delaying the process. We need him to be fully on board and in support of this Bill in order for the process to continue. I would like to request your immediate help. Please make contact with Emory Dunahoo immediately and let him know of the importance of introducing this Bill that will provide equal protection for the preborn and justice for all. Reassure him that the church and the Christian community will stand behind him in the process. Let him know that many concerned Christians will be very disappointed if this Bill does not get introduced and support from the Christian lawmakers in Georgia. His Contact Information: Emory Dunahoo Phone: 404-656-7857 Email: Emory.Dunahoo@house.ga.gov More Information on the Bill: https://g3min.org/epa/
●Apologia Radio recorded an episode Thursday with Jeff Durbin and Zachary Conover (End Abortion Now) covering recent inconsistent comments made on the issue of abortion by Al Mohler, Kevin DeYoung, and Bart Barber. You can access the recording on Apologia’s YouTube.
Pro-Abortion Headlines
On Tuesday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed the PRO Act, which immediately enshrines the right to abortion into Minnesota law. PRO stands for Protect Reproductive Options. This act keeps abortion legal up until birth and codifies abortion into state law. Please pray God would raise up more abolitionists to fight in Minnesota.
Pro-Life Headlines
This week, the Pro-Life Charlotte Lozier Institute reported that Pro-Life OBGYN Dr. Ingrid Skop testified in favor of the Nebraska Heartbeat Act by denying the biological fact that life begins at fertilization and instead stating the quote below:
“The Nebraska Heartbeat Act requires that human life be protected at the point of a detectable heartbeat. Death is diagnosed when cardiac activity has ceased. It is reasonable to conclude that life may be diagnosed, and protected, when a heartbeat has begun.”
Abolition Bills Update
Last week, we created a post called Tracking Abolition Bills – 2023. It will be continually updated throughout the legislative season.
Abolition Organization Spotlight
End Abortion Now “is a movement dedicated to saving unborn children and proclaiming the Gospel.
End Abortion Now started as a grassroots ministry outside abortion clinics. Today, we are a movement of hundreds of churches and thousands of Christians working toward the same goal: to end abortion now.”
Upcoming Events
2/7 – Abolition Day at OK State Capitol at 10:00am, conference following at 2:00 pm at FBC Edmond. Contact Abolish Abortion Oklahoma for more info.
2/7 – Abolish Abortion KY Act – Cadiz Region Information Meeting Hosted by Crossroads Fellowship, Cadiz, KY at 10:00am.
2/9 – Abolish Abortion KY Act – Lake Cumberland Information Meeting Feb. 9, 10AM EST at Grace Baptist Church, Somerset.
2/10 – Abolish Abortion Kentucky Act – Owensboro Region Information Meeting Feb. 9, 12:30PM CTZ at Christ Presbyterian Church.
2/10 – Abolish Abortion KY Central KY Info Meeting will be held at New Hope Baptist Church in Moreland from 6-8pm.
2/13 – Abolish Abortion KY Act – Paducah Area Information Meeting Feb. 13, 12:30PM CTZ at the West Union Baptist Association Building.
2/17 – Rally at Kentucky State Capitol for abolition bill at 10:00am. Contact Abolish Abortion Kentucky for more info.
3/1-4 – Abolitionists Rising Conference, Wichita, KS.
Knowing how hard it can be to keep up with abolition bills in each state, we created this post in order to help our fellow abolitionists stay up to date with what is happening concerning bills of equal protection.
2023 Filed Bills
Alabama HB454 Final Status: Assigned to House Judiciary Committee where Republican Jim Hill refused to give the bill a hearing.
Texas HB2709 Final Status: Filed 2/23/23. Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence Committee where it was denied a hearing by Democrat Chair Joe Moody.
SB2198 Final Status: Filed 3/9/23, referred to State Affairs and denied a hearing by pro-life committee chair Bryan Hughes.
South Carolina H3549 FinalStatus: Pro-Life backed politician refused to give HB3549 a hearing. (Dead on arrival)
Missouri HB818 Final Status: Never assigned to committee
SB356 Final Status: Hearing conducted May 3rd. A brief recap can be found here. Committee minutes can be found here. No vote was taken and given that the Chair of the Committee is endorsed by Missouri Right to Life (who spoke against the bill) she did not call a vote.
Oklahoma SB402 Final Status: Referred to Health and Human Services and refused a hearing by the committee chair, pro-life Senator Paul Rosino.
Arkansas HB1174 Final Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment
Kansas HB2181 Final Status: Killed in Health and Human Services Committee by pro-life backed committee chair.
Indiana HB1596 FinalStatus: Pro-Life backed politicians refused to give HB1596 a hearing.
Arizona HB2706 Final Status: Bill was never given a hearing and died in committee.
Colorado HB23-1119 FinalStatus: Health and Insurance Committee, Hearing 2/17, Voted 8-3 to postpone bill indefinitely.
Kentucky HB300 Final Status: Pro-Life backed politicians refused to give HB300 a hearing.
Georgia HB496 Final Status: Referred to Public Health Committee where it was denied a hearing by Republican Legislator Sharon Cooper
Last week, Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life, published a letter addressed to the Biden Administration called Chemical Abortion Hurts Women. Since the title piqued my interest I took the time to read the letter, and while reviewing came across multiple concerning statements that, for the sake of truth and our pre-born neighbors in the womb, need to be addressed.
The letter opens with Ms. Hawkins referencing a new report on chemical abortion pills and stating the Biden Administration’s “obsession with death by elective abortion” has created an abortion drug cartel at the Mexican border. While the Biden Administration is certainly the most pro-abortion administration to date, this letter never mentions the driver of this demand which is pregnant womenwillinglyseeking chemical abortion pills to kill their own children.
Why the Demand?
One key reason there is a demand for chemical abortion pills, that Ms. Hawkins fails to address in her letter, is because of the work of pro-life organizations, including Students for Life. The pro-life establishment organizations will not support any state or federal legislation unless there are specific provisions exempting the pregnant woman procuring a surgical abortion or chemical abortion pills from criminal penalties. I know that sounds absurd but look no further than May 2022 in Louisiana, when 70 pro-life organizations joined together to stop an abortion abolition bill because it did not exempt the pregnant woman from criminal penalties. Since the pro-life movement calls for the exemption of pregnant women from criminal penalties, thereby keeping it legal for them to kill their child(ren) in the womb, is it any wonder there is a demand for chemical abortion pills?
The second paragraph begins with the statement, “As with other drugs prohibited by states, Chemical Abortion Pills carry a tremendous risk for women, exposing them to injury, infertility, and even death.” While I agree this statement is correct, it fails to mention that all those other drugs are illegal for a person to take whereas chemical abortion pills, again thanks to the work of the pro-life movement, are legal for pregnant women to take in all 50 states.
Exposed or Willingly Sought?
Later in the paragraph, Ms. Hawkins blames Biden for his willingness to, “…risk the lives of women exposed to Chemical Abortion Pills.” Exposed? Chemical abortion pills are willingly sought out and taken by pregnant women to end the life of their child in the womb. Their exposure to it iswillful unlike those exposed to a chemical spill or similar event. For example, view this video of a woman in Texas who had a chemical abortion and ask yourself, was she exposed to the pills or did she willingly seek them out and take them with the goal being to kill her child in the womb?
Ms. Hawkins then cites studies and articles about chemical abortion pills and calls for an environmental impact study to be done due to the discarding of children killed by chemical abortion pills. To recap, Ms. Hawkins, as a pro-life leader, is not calling for legislation to make chemical abortion pills illegal for pregnant women to possess or consume, nor is she calling for equal protection of the laws for our pre-born neighbors, but instead for a study on how chemically aborted children are impacting the environment.
In the last paragraph, Ms. Hawkins calls on Congress to take on this issue and not settle for,“…show votes on easily agreed upon legislation that does not significantly reduce the number of abortions…”; however, that is exactly the type of legislation her organization has supported in states across the country. For example, Students for Life showed no support in May 2022 for a bill called HB813, which would have abolished abortion in Louisiana. No pro-life establishment organization would support it because it treated abortion as the murder it is and did not exempt pregnant women from criminal penalty. So, instead of abolishing abortion in Louisiana, the pro-life establishment organizations urged politicians to instead pass easily agreed upon legislation that did not significantly reduce abortions and, by keeping chemical abortion pills legal for pregnant women, did not protect children in the womb from abortion. Why is Ms. Hawkins calling on Congress to do something her own organization will not even do?
Abolitionism
This is yet another example of why I do not regret my decision to leave the pro-life movement and become an abolitionist. If you, like me, believe God’s word and science that both confirm life begins at fertilization and that our neighbors in the womb should be protected from abortion, I encourage you to learn more about the abolitionist movement here and also consider donating to organizations like Free The States, who are fighting to truly abolish abortion, unlike Students for Life.
On January 25th, End Abortion Now and Abolish Abortion KY partnered to host an informational meeting for Pastors about the upcoming KY abolition bill at the Creation Museum. Speakers included: Jeff Durbin, Brian Gunter, Ken Hamm, Bradley Peirce. Representative Emily Callaway, who is the sponsor for the KY abolition bill, also spoke and was prayed over by Clay Hall. A meeting was streamed live by Apologia Studio and a recording can be watched here.
Arkansas Files First Abolition Bill in State History
On Wednesday, January 25th, HB2181 was filed in the Kansas legislator. The bill’s name is Prohibiting abortion procedures and creating the crimes of unlawful performance of an abortion and unlawful destruction of a fertilized embryo. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Jacobs, Fairchild, Garber, Goetz, and Hill. To keep up with the progress of the bill, please follow AIM KS.
Abolition Bills Update
States with abolition bills currently filed: South Carolina (HB 3549) Missouri (HB818 & SB356) Oklahoma (SB402) Arkansas (HB1174) Kansas (HB2181) Indiana (HB1596)
States with abolition bills yet to be filed: Texas, Kentucky, Georgia, Idaho
The mission of FAA is to exalt and vindicate the image of God by promoting sound public policy that provides all preborn human beings the equal protection of the laws. In support of that mission, we draft and analyze legislation, conduct research, publish presentations, produce other educational media, and consult with public officials, organizations, and abolitionist activists.
Upcoming Events
2/3 – Eastern KY info meeting for Abolition Abortion KY ACT. Hindman FBC 6:00-8:00pm
2/7 – Abolition Day at OK State Capitol at 10:00am, conference following at 2:00 pm at FBC Edmond. Contact Abolish Abortion Oklahoma for more info.
2/10 – Abolish Abortion KY Central KY Info Meeting will be held at New Hope Baptist Church from 6-8pm.
2/17 – Rally at Kentucky State Capitol for abolition bill at 10:00am. Contact Abolish Abortion Kentucky for more info.
3/1-4 – Abolitionists Rising Conference, Wichita, KS.
Founders Ministry celebrated their 40th Anniversary this week at their annual conference. This years theme was What is Man: Biblical Anthropology. Bradley Peirce of the Foundation to Abolish Abortion and Abolition Abortion Texas was one of the prompted speakers for the event and spoke on Image-Bearers from Conception during Session 3.
Abolitionist Dusty Deevers (Rescue Those) and Bill Ascol also spoke from the stage regarding abortion at the conference. Many educational conversations took place at the Rescue Those booth and many spoke with Bradley after his session. We offer our sincerest thanks to the Founders Conference.
Abolition Articles
Pro-lifer Nathan Apodaca (Life Training Institute) published an article this week in response to Josh Buice’s (G3) abolition article from last week. Apodaca’s article provided no scriptural support for his position and Free the States posted a response to Apodaca on their website Friday.
Also new this week is a response article to SBC President Bart Barber’s scriptureless arguments against abolitionists written by Wesley Russell of Abolish Abortion KY.
Missouri Files Abolition Bill in Both House and Senate
For the first time in Missouri history, abolition bills have been filed in both the House (HB818) and Senate (SB356). SB356 is sponsored by Republican Mike Moon. HB818 is sponsored by Bob Titus and Brad Hudson. Follow Abolish Abortion Missouri for the latest information.
Oklahoma Files Abolition Bill
Oklahoma Senator Warren Hamilton has filed SB402, an equal protection bill that would abolish abortion in Oklahoma. A rally of support for the bill is scheduled at the Oklahoma Capitol on February 7, 2023 at 10:00 am with a conference to follow at FBC Edmond at 2:00pm local time.
Pro-Abortion Headlines
NYC-Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City, announced Tuesday that the city will offer free-of-charge abortion pills at the four city-run health clinics.
Minnesota-HF 1, the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act was passed by the MN House on Thursday and will move to the Senate for a vote. According to a MN House legislative statement, “The bill enshrines protections for all reproductive health care, including but not limited to contraception, sterilization, preconception care, maternity care, abortion care, family planning and fertility services, and counseling regarding reproductive health care”
Pro-Life Headlines
Instead of introducing a bill of equal protection, 14 members of the Republican Study Committee introduced a bill to place restrictions on abortion pills. The iniquitous bill regulates abortion as healthcare by requiring a pregnant woman to see a prescriber in person instead of through a tele-health appointment.
Abolition Organization Spotlight– Rescue Those
Rescue Those exists to educate, equip, and mobilize the saints in the name of Christ and for the glory of God to rescue the pre-born being led to slaughter.
Upcoming Events
1/25 – Pastors Meeting in KY at Creation Museum at 11:00 am
2/3 – Eastern KY info meeting for Abolition Abortion KY ACT. Hindman FBC 6:00-8:00pm
2/7 – Abolition Day at OK State Capitol at 10:00am, conference following at 2:00 pm at FBC Edmond. Contact Abolish Abortion Oklahoma for more info.
2/17 – Rally at Kentucky State Capitol for abolition bill at 10:00am. Contact Abolish Abortion Kentucky for more info.
3/1-4 – Abolitionists Rising Conference, Wichita, KS.
Equal Justice Conference KY An abolition conference titled Equal Justice for all was hosted by Immanuel Baptist Church in Pikeville, KY on January 7, 2023. Speakers included T. Russell Hunter from Free the States, Dusty Deevers and Brett Baggett from Rescue Those, and Wesley Russell with Abolish Abortion KY. The conference was live streams by Free the States and is available here.
Abolition Bill Officially Filed in South Carolina
House Bill 3549 was filed in South Carolina this week, the first abolition bill to be filed in any state this legislative session. The Foundation to Abolish Abortion helped draft the bill and it is sponsored by House Representative Rob Harris. HB3549 can be tracked by clicking here. Full article on HB3549 can be found here.
End Abortion Now and Ken Hamm of Answers in Genesis announced an emergency informational meeting for Kentucky Pastors on January 25, 2023, at the Creation Museum in Petersburg. The meeting will address KY’s forthcoming abolition bill and will begin at 11:00am. Free admission, parking, and lunch will be provided to all Pastors and 50% off admission is offered to their families that day as well. Th register click here.
Pro-Life Letter to Congress
Over 40 establishment Pro-Life organizations including Live Action, Students for Life, AUL, NRLC, and the ERLC signed a letter to the US House still not asking for abolition. Requests included:
Heartbeat Protection Act /Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act / Protecting Individuals With Down Syndrome Act / SAVE Moms and Babies Act / No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act, Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act / Conscience Protection Act
The US House voted 220-210 to pass the “Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act” bill on Wednesday. The vote was political theater as it is already illegal to kill a born child in the US. Although we are post-Roe, pro-life backed politicians are doing as they are told which is anything but abolishing abortion and granting the pre-born equal protection under the 14th amendment.
Abolitionists Rising Conference
The Abolitionists Rising conference is being held by Free the States in Wichita, KS March 1st-4th. Registration is available here. If you can only make one abolitionist conference this year, make it this one. If you cannot attend, please continue to share and encourage others to attend.
Abolition Organization Spotlight – The Imago Dei Ministry
The Imago Dei is a Gospel centered ministry that reaches out to abortive minded mothers online as well as ministering outside the mill in Bristol, VA. The Imago Dei is currently fundraising to pay for a booth at G3 to help grow their reach. Donations can be made here.
Upcoming Events
1/25 – Pastors Meeting in KY at Creation Museum at 11:00 am
2/7 – Abolition Day at Oklahoma State Capitol at 10:00am, conference following at 2:00 pm at FBC Edmond. Contact Abolish Abortion Oklahoma for more info.
2/17 – Rally at Kentucky State Capitol for abolition bill at 10:00am. Contact Abolish Abortion Kentucky for more info.