WASHINGTON – As President Donald Trump marks his first 100 days in office, National Right to Life praises the work the president has done on behalf of the right to life.

“We thank President Trump for his steadfast commitment to the right to life,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance have been vital allies of the pro-life movement and the work the movement is doing to protect innocent preborn lives.”

Continued Tobias, “President Trump’s first actions in office include the critical undertaking of reversing the extreme pro-abortion policies of the Biden-Harris administration.”

Pro-life accomplishments of the Trump administration include:

• Enforcing the Hyde Amendment – Over the course of nearly five decades, the Hyde Amendment has saved an estimated 2.5 million lives. An Executive Order signed by President Trump reversed Biden-era Executive Orders that blatantly violated the Hyde Amendment as well as other similar riders and amendments. The Biden-era Orders reversed were: Executive Order 14076 which mandated a whole-of-government approach of protecting unlimited abortions and imposing draconian measures on violations and Executive Order 14079 which recategorized abortion as “health care.”
• Ended the Federal Funding of Abortion Overseas – President Trump reinstated Mexico City Policy and the United States also reentered the Geneva Consensus Declaration. Co-founded by the United States in 2020 under President Trump, the Declaration is a coalition of more than 30 countries united in affirming the inherent dignity of every human being, the importance of women’s health without endorsing abortion, and the sovereignty of nations to protect life through their own laws.
• Working to Stop the Federal Funding of Abortion – President Trump stopped federal funds from being used to reimburse travel expenses for abortions by the Department of Defense, stopped the Department of Veterans Affairs from allowing VA hospitals to perform abortions and stopped the Department of Health and Human Services from paying for abortions for those who entered the country illegally.
• Strongly Supports H.R. 21, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act – the White House applauded the House of Representatives for its efforts to protect the most vulnerable and prevent infanticide.
• Restored Millions in Title X Funding to Oklahoma and Tennessee – the two states were previously cut off under the Biden administration for refusing to provide abortion referrals.
• Title X Funding on Hold to Planned Parenthood Affiliates – According to an HHS spokesperson, this is “to ensure these entities are in full compliance with Federal law and applicable grant terms, and to ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”
• President Trump was the first president to attend the March for Life in person during his first administration. Though unable to attend in person in 2025, the president addressed the March via video and Vice President Vance addressed the March in person.

“The Trump administration continues to protect and defend innocent human life,” said Tobias. “We look forward to seeing more great things from President Trump and Vice President Vance.”

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON — Research released by the Ethics and Public Policy Center shows that mifepristone abortions have a complication rate far higher than the abortion industry admits.

“Every time pro-lifers want to challenge safety claims made about the abortion pill mifepristone, abortion advocates and their loyal media allies like to quote the claim of the drug’s official label from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that clinical studies showed ‘Serious adverse reactions were reported in <0.5% of women,’” said Randall K. O’Bannon, Ph.D., director of Education and Research at National Right to Life. “New data taken from the field show figures are twenty-two times that.” 

Jamie Bryan Hall and Ryan T. Anderson, two researchers from the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) looked at data from 865,727 insurance claims involving mifepristone abortions between 2017 and 2023.

The results were staggering. Counting only those with a report of significant or severe complications, EPPC researchers found 10.93% reporting sepsis, infection, hemorrhage, hospitalization, or some other issue that officially qualified as a “serious adverse event.” 

Since the data set used for the report involved the broad spectrum of women in the U.S. who obtained mifepristone abortions in 2017-2023, the real-world results probably more accurately reflect current usage and complications. 

“Women are told that the complication rate for chemical abortions is minimal but hemorrhage, infection, and failure to identify rupturing ectopic pregnancies are the realities,” said Dr. O’Bannon. “Tracking these complications became more difficult in 2016 when the FDA decided that medical personnel and facilities only need to report deaths—not the complications arising from the use of the abortion pill mifepristone.” 

The report issued by the Ethics and Public Policy Center can be found here. 

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON — National Right to Life deeply mourns the passing of David N. O’Steen, Ph. D., who led the organization from 1984 to 2022.

“There are likely millions alive today because of Dr. David O’Steen’s influence and guidance,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “He was a humble man known for his quiet and devoted leadership, but he is a giant among those who have dedicated their lives to protecting the right to life. He will be grievously missed.”

Under Dr. O’Steen’s leadership, National Right to Life developed model legislation and spearheaded the passage of protective legislative measures such as the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act. 

“Dr. O’Steen dedicated his life to protecting the unborn, the medically vulnerable, and the elderly,” said Tobias. “He will be remembered for his unwavering commitment.” 

Dr. David N. O’Steen was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and received his bachelor’s degree from Guilford College. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Georgia and received his doctorate in mathematics from the University of Houston.

Dr. O’Steen was a professor of mathematics and later became department chairman at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. While in Duluth, he led the Duluth chapter of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL). A brilliant mathematician, in 1975, David made the personal sacrifice of leaving academics to become the executive director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life.

In 1984, Dr. O’Steen became executive director of National Right to Life, a position he held until December 2022. Dr. O’Steen retired from his role as National Right to Life’s Senior Advisor in January 2024.

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON — National Right to Life joins with millions of faithful worldwide in mourning the death of Pope Francis who was a staunch defender of life.

“Pope Francis, like his predecessors, was a strong advocate for the value and dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “His stalwart support of the right to life was grounded in compassion and love.” 

In his New Year’s Day message, Pope Francis called upon the Church faithful to care for “every child born of a woman” including protecting “the precious gift of life: life in the womb, the lives of children, the lives of the suffering, the poor, the elderly, the lonely and the dying.” Pope Francis asked “[F]or a firm commitment to respect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, so that each person may cherish his or her own life and all may look with hope to the future.”

In a message to the Italian Movement for Life, Pope Francis wrote, “The unborn child represents, in the fullest sense, every man and woman who does not count, who has no voice.”

“Pope Francis will be remembered for his dedication to the most vulnerable among us and for championing the right to life,” said Tobias.

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON— National Right to Life today announced its endorsement of Senator Lindsey Graham for re-election to the United States Senate from South Carolina.  

“National Right to Life is pleased to endorse Lindsey Graham for re-election to the U.S. Senate,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “We are grateful for Senator Graham’s firm resolve and principled leadership in working to protect unborn children and their mothers.” 

Senator Graham has a 100% pro-life voting record and has sponsored numerous pieces of pro-life legislation over the years including the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Pro-life legislation he has worked to enact is saving lives today. 

“The SCCL federal PAC is pleased to join the National Right to Life endorsement of pro-life Senator Lindsey Graham for re-election to the U.S. Senate,” said South Carolina Citizens for Life (SCCL) President Lisa Van Riper. “Senator Graham is keenly aware of the importance of protecting babies  — born and unborn — and providing resources that help mothers choose life. Babies are the future of our country.”

“Throughout his years of service to his country, Senator Graham has been a tireless advocate of the right to life for all Americans, born and unborn,” said Tobias. “We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Graham in the Senate to advance vital pro-life policies.” 

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON – Over 300 pro-lifers met with members of Congress today urging them to defund the abortion industry. This followed a letter signed by more than 150 pro-life organizations sent to members of Congress urging them to prevent taxpayer funds from being used to support Big Abortion. 

The following is a statement by Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life:

The abortion industry giant, Planned Parenthood, brings in over $2 billion a year and spends millions on lobbying for unlimited abortion but receives over $700 million in taxpayer funds. 

The American people should not be forced to support a multi-billion-dollar industry that takes the lives of preborn children and reportedly provides substandard care for women. Women and their preborn babies deserve better than abortion. 

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON – Over 150 groups representing all 50 states signed a letter calling on Congress to defund Planned Parenthood. 

“American taxpayers should not have to underwrite a multi-billion dollar abortion industry,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Taxpayers certainly don’t want to see their money being used to end the lives of innocent preborn children.”

According to its 2022-2023 annual report, Planned Parenthood brought in over $2 billion in revenue. Of the over $2 billion in revenue, $699.3 million (34%) of Planned Parenthood’s revenue came from taxpayers in the form of “Government Health Services Reimbursements & Grants.” 

For the year the annual report covers, Planned Parenthood performed 392,715 abortions, or about 4 in 10 abortions, and abortions outnumbered prenatal care 62 to 1.

“Planned Parenthood has shown that the abortion industry giant puts abortion above all other pregnancy-related services,” said Tobias. “Planned Parenthood has also shown more concern about politics by spending millions on lobbying for unlimited abortion than it has shown for conditions patients face in substandard facilities.”

A recent New York Times article detailed the dangerous and even life-threatening conditions —including botched abortions—experienced by patients at some Planned Parenthood facilities. 

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON  – National Right to Life today released The Status of Abortion in the United States, 2025. The twelfth annual edition summarizes key legislative developments on the state and federal level since Dobbs, and analyzes the limited data on the annual number of abortions in the United States. 

“Since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, we have seen the status of abortion in the U.S. change dramatically,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Many states have enacted laws to protect unborn children and their mothers from the tragedy of abortion.”

Tobias continued, “Pro-life education and legislative efforts are making an impact on our culture and in the lives of women facing unexpected pregnancies. But there is still much to be done.” 

Key highlights from the report include: 

• Since the Dobbs decision, the availability of abortion data has undergone a shift. Numbers released by both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Guttmacher Institute differ broadly but both agree on one thing: a large majority of abortions are now done using chemical abortion – a method that puts women at increased risk.

• Pro-life laws and actions on the state and federal level have a positive impact. For example, it is estimated that the Hyde Amendment has saved over 2.5 million lives since it was implemented. 

• In the months following Dobbs, several states have moved to enact laws designed to provide maximum protections from abortion to unborn children and their mothers. A total of 5 states enacted laws to protect unborn babies once a heartbeat has been detected. Nine states have enacted laws that protect babies throughout gestation. Eight states have laws that protect babies when the heartbeat can be detected and throughout pregnancy. Two states have laws that protect babies after 12 weeks.

The report is available from the National Right to Life Communications Department here: http://www.nrlc.org/uploads/communications/statusofabortion2025.pdf 

To arrange an interview with an expert, call the NRLC Communications Department at (202) 626-8825 or email mediarelations@nrlc.org. 

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON — On Friday, President Trump moved to restore pro-life policies both nationally and internationally. 

With an executive order, President Trump restored Mexico City Policy and later announced the United States’ reentry into the pro-life Geneva Consensus Declaration. President Trump also issued an executive order to reinforce the Hyde Amendment that prevents the use of U.S. taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions domestically. 

“U.S. taxpayers should not be paying for abortions,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “We are grateful that President Trump is committed to preventing taxpayer dollars from being used to pay for the deaths of preborn babies.” 

Tobias continued, “Reestablishing the U.S. commitment to protecting life on the international stage restores our role as leaders on this issue. Women in disadvantaged countries want clean water, better health care, a good education, and safety for their kids. Thanks to President Trump, the U.S. response is not going to push to kill their children instead.” 

Mexico City Policy was originally introduced by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. This policy has been reinstated by every Republican administration since, and President Trump expanded its scope during his tenure. 

The Geneva Consensus Declaration was co-founded by the United States in 2020 under President Trump. The Declaration is a coalition of more than 30 countries united in affirming the inherent dignity of every human being, the importance of women’s health without endorsing abortion, and the sovereignty of nations to protect life through their own laws.

The Hyde Amendment is a limitation amendment to the annual Labor Health and Human Services (LHHS) appropriations bill to prohibit the use of funds that flow through that annual appropriations bill from being used for abortions. 

The Hyde Amendment has proven itself to be the greatest domestic abortion-reduction measure ever enacted by Congress, saving over an estimated 2.5 million lives.

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.

The Vice President Was Joined by the Senate Majority Leader, the Speaker of the House, the Florida Governor, and Other Members of Congress

WASHINGTON — Today, pro-life President Donald Trump encouraged pro-lifers by video while Vice President J.D. Vance addressed the annual March for Life in person.

Marchers were also encouraged by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in addition to other members of Congress. 

“The support of President Trump, Vice President Vance, Majority Leader Thune, and Speaker Johnson for the pro-life movement is a tremendous blessing and encouragement to the millions of pro-lifers all across the United States who spend their time, money, and energy helping women and their children,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. 

Tobias continued, “Governor DeSantis and other members of Congress inspired pro-lifers, praised pro-life wins, and spoke of the work yet to do.”

In his recorded remarks, President Trump said:

As you know, this annual March started 52 years ago for the first anniversary of the disastrous ruling known as Roe v. Wade, that unconstitutional decision took power away from the states and the voters, kicking off 50 years of division and anger. But thanks to your tireless work and devotion across five decades, that historic wrong was set right three years ago…In my second term, we will again stand proudly for families and for life. We will protect the historic gains we have made and stop the radical Democrat push for a federal right to unlimited abortion on demand up to the moment of birth and even after birth.

Vice President Vance speaking to the marchers said:

[T]he crowd assembled here in this incredible National Mall provides an extraordinary example for our nation. You donate to diaper banks. You help find housing for those in need. You help fund the crisis pregnancy centers that give help to young women and young men in a time of crisis. You guys are the beating heart of the pro-life movement, and you’ve saved many lives already, and you’re going to save more again…This very March is a reminder of the incredible strength and unity of the pro-life movement. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for being here and thank you for marching here today.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told marchers:

You stand here today to bear witness to the beauty and goodness of every human life, to remind people of the great truth upon which our country was founded, that all men and women are created equal and endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are the right to life, the liberty and the pursuit of happiness…

You are part of a great movement united around the truth that every life is precious, that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and has infinite value and worth. 

Speaker Johnson encouraged marchers by saying:

America is premised on the self-evident truth that every single person is made in the image of our Creator God, and thus every single person has inestimable dignity and value, and your value is not related in any way to the color of your skin or what zip code you live in or what you do for a living. Your value’s inherent. It is given to you by God…

[T]ogether, we are rebuilding a culture of life, and it begins now by sharing your time and influence, by volunteering to assist pregnancy resource centers, all the very practical ways that we can assist. 

Using our voices, using our influence, it’s going to make a difference.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who led opposition to a pro-abortion state constitutional amendment which was defeated, told marchers:

Here is what you should be asking your elected officials to do on the issue of the sanctity of life: show courage in defense of the unborn. That’s what we need from the people that we elect to the office. The sanctity of life does not depend on poll results. It doesn’t depend on which way the wind is blowing. It’s an enduring truth, and it represents the foundation of our society, which in our original founding document, which we will celebrate next year, the Declaration of Independence, declared that we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, beginning with the right to life itself.

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON — Today, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act passed in the House of Representatives in a largely party line vote of 217-204. 

The following is a statement from Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life:

Protecting babies born alive following an abortion should not be complicated. Pro-abortion Democrats in their dogged determination to support the abortion industry, claim that the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would somehow interfere with unlimited abortions. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is no such thing as a “post-birth abortion.” This bill isn’t about a so-called right to abortion. It’s about stopping infanticide.

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is life-saving legislation designed to protect a baby who is born alive following an abortion. 

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act requires that, when a baby is born alive following an abortion, health care practitioners must exercise the same degree of professional skill and care that would be offered to any other child born alive at the same gestational age. It also requires that, following appropriate care, health care workers must transport the living child immediately to a hospital. 

Current federal law does not sufficiently protect a child born following an abortion.

More information about babies born alive following an abortion can be found here.

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON —  National Right to Life, the federation of right-to-life affiliates in all 50 states, congratulates pro-life President Donald J. Trump and pro-life Vice President J.D. Vance.

The following is a statement from Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life.  

National Right to Life congratulates President Trump and Vice President Vance as they take their oaths of office and begin their administration. 

In the dawning of this “Golden Age of America,” the light of hope shines for preborn babies and their mothers.

Under President Trump and Vice President Vance, we look forward to creating and restoring protections for unborn children and providing greater help for women and families who face unexpected pregnancies. 

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON — Today, Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) reintroduced the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act in the U.S. Senate. 

The following is a statement from Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life:

In the past, because of their unwavering commitment to unlimited abortion, pro-abortion extremists in the House and Senate have been willing to let die babies who are born alive following an abortion. There is no such thing as a “post-birth abortion.” This bill isn’t about interfering with a so-called right to abortion. It is about stopping infanticide.

 

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is reasonable legislation that would protect a baby who is born alive following an abortion. We thank Senator Lankford for his commitment to protecting babies who are born alive following an abortion and for reintroducing this crucial life-saving legislation.

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act requires that, when a baby is born alive following an abortion, health care practitioners must exercise the same degree of professional skill and care that would be offered to any other child born alive at the same gestational age. It also requires that, following appropriate care, health care workers must transport the living child immediately to a hospital. 

Current federal law does not sufficiently protect a child born following an abortion.

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act was first introduced in the 114th Congress in 2015 and has been reintroduced in every Congress since. 

More information about babies born alive following an abortion can be found here.

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.