When the march ends

Today, tens of thousands of pro-life supporters are gathered in Washington, D.C., for the 53rd National March for Life. Hosted annually around the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the march is the nation’s largest pro-life gathering. Although Roe was rightly overturned in the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, the pro-life movement now faces some of its greatest challenges yet.

At last year’s march, President Donald Trump delivered a video message, pledging to “stand proudly for families and for life.” Immediately afterward, Vice President J.D. Vance proclaimed, “Now the task of our movement is to protect innocent life … [to be] pro-life in the fullest sense of that word possible.” Both are slated to speak again today. 

In the ensuing year, the White House delivered on multiple pro-life commitments, including reinstating the Mexico City Policy, revoking Biden-era executive orders that had classified abortion as healthcare, and defunding Planned Parenthood for a year through the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” In the first week of his second term, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Enforcing the Hyde Amendment,” a landmark action articulating that U.S. policy prohibits taxpayer funding of abortion.

Despite these positive federal actions, the pro-life movement finds itself at a crossroads. Earlier this month, President Trump encouraged pro-life lawmakers to show “flexibility” on the Hyde Amendment in ongoing discussions about Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) subsidies. Additionally, the administration has avoided actions to curb the proliferation of abortion drugs.

Tragically, abortions are on the rise, with chemical abortions accounting for nearly 63 percent of abortions in the year following Dobbs. While the abortion drug, mifepristone, is heralded as “safer than Tylenol,” it carries significant health risks. A 2025 report indicated that 10.93% of women experience adverse health events (e.g., sepsis, infection, or hemorrhaging) after using mifepristone, a rate 22 times higher than what the FDA currently acknowledges. Although this report prompted the FDA to launch a safety review of the abortion drug, the process has been slow. With each passing day, mothers remain susceptible to grave harm, and innocent unborn lives are on the line. 

Despite these striking realities, the Trump administration has delayed action to limit access to mifepristone. It has neglected to reinstate safeguards intended to protect women, and it has failed to enforce the Comstock Act, a federal law prohibiting the mailing of abortion-inducing medications.

Thankfully, many members of the U.S. Senate recognize the dire threat posed by abortion drugs. Last week, a Senate panel held a hearing focused on abortion drugs, where Republican committee members highlighted the dangers these drugs pose to women and their children and encouraged the FDA toward swift action. That same day, lawmakers demanded that the Trump administration end Biden-era policies that have allowed abortion drugs to be mailed across state lines in violation of pro-life state laws. Pro-life advocacy groups have risen up to press the administration on this issue.  

As we approach the fourth anniversary of the Dobbs decision, renewed resolve is needed. While we can be encouraged by the aforementioned efforts to protect life, our broader political climate suggests that American commitment to the cause of life has weakened. This indicates a deeper problem—one only remedied by a return to the enduring truth of God’s Word, which clearly affirms the value of life (Psalm 139:13-16, Luke 1:39-45). 

A stronger national pro-life ethic is needed. Christians should work to cultivate this ethic, not keeping our convictions to ourselves. We must remember that God’s law is perfect, His Word profitable for all mankind—not just for those who worship Christ.

We, the authors, are involved in pro-life advocacy—one at Family Research Council, one at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We are both joyfully Southern Baptist and grateful for our convention’s consistent pro-life witness. For years, the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy entity has countered aggressive pro-abortion policies, and last year, an unflinchingly pro-life SBC resolutions committee led messengers to pass a resolution outlining the dangers and ethical harms of the chemical abortion pill. In an area where government and culture have faltered, we are proud that our convention courageously stood behind a statement offering clarity and conviction, calling on the federal government to take action.

Our hope is that faithful Christians would recommit themselves to restoring our country’s conscience on the right to life. We are grateful for recent steps taken at the state and federal levels to protect innocent human life—but as those who also desire to establish a true culture of life in our nation, we know much work remains. As people come to know and love the Author of Life, we pray they would join us in advocating to protect all human life, from the moment of conception until natural death.