WASHINGTON — National Right to Life commends Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for taking the extraordinary step of decertifying a troubled organ procurement organization in South Florida after years of alleged serious deficiencies.

“Every human life has dignity, and no institution entrusted with human lives should ever put that trust at risk,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Protecting life extends to every stage of life and especially to our most vulnerable. We are grateful to Secretary Kennedy for demonstrating leadership and integrity on an issue of such moral importance.” 

Secretary Kennedy’s actions follow a report by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that HHS released in July. HRSA reviewed 351 cases where the organ donation was “authorized, but ultimately not completed,” and found 73 patients exhibited neurological activity and at least 28 cases where organ retrieval began before legal death was established.

A July 20 New York Times report highlighted cases under donation‑after‑circulatory‑death (DCD), in which patients appeared to have regained consciousness while being prepared for organ harvest—even undergoing incision—before procedures were halted.

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 approved of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) move to defund research projects using fetal tissue.

“This is a long‐overdue step in the right direction,” said Carol Tobias, President of National Right to Life. “Every human being, born or unborn, has inherent dignity, and the use of aborted fetal tissue in research raises profound ethical issues. We applaud NIH for choosing not to renew these grants and for making a public affirmation that federal funding should reflect respect for human life.” 

During President Trump’s first term, he banned new funding for research involving fetal tissue. This policy was reversed under the Biden administration.

NIH said it will not renew the 17 grants that were initiated under the Biden administration. The grants were funding research using human fetal tissue obtained from abortions and, collectively, the grants were worth nearly $22 million in FY 2024.

NIH said that its policy going forward will align with what the NIH describes as a commitment to valuing human life and ensuring that taxpayer‐funded research is conducted “responsibly and transparently.”

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 welcomes today’s ruling by a federal appellate court that lifts the injunction blocking the provision of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” which defunds major abortion providers. The provision prevents abortion providers—most notably Planned Parenthood—from receiving Medicaid funds if they exceed certain thresholds.

Today’s decision restores Congress’s ability to ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize the abortion industry.

“This ruling is a victory for unborn children and for taxpayers,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “No organization has a constitutional right to federal funds—especially when those funds enable the taking of innocent human life. With this decision, the courts respect the will of the people, through their elected representatives, that taxpayer dollars should not support an industry built on taking the lives of unborn babies.”

The One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law on July 4th by President Donald J. Trump, includes critical provisions that halt the use of taxpayer dollars to subsidize the abortion industry. It passed narrowly in Congress after a strong show of resolve from pro-life lawmakers.

Following passage, a U.S. District Judge had issued a preliminary injunction, blocking the law from going into effect, arguing constitutional concerns. The appellate court’s decision to unblock the defunding provision affirms that legislative decisions—including those pertaining to the use of public funds—must be respected.

“Today’s First Circuit ruling reinforces a basic moral boundary: taxpayer dollars should not bankroll abortion,” said Tobias. “We are encouraged that the rule of law has held firm in this matter.”

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 mourns the loss of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk who was killed while speaking on a college campus.

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

We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Charlie Kirk. Charlie was a bold and passionate voice for the unborn, unafraid to speak truth in defense of the most vulnerable members of our human family. His commitment to the cause of life inspired countless Americans, particularly young people, to stand up and be advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves. His absence will be profoundly felt, but his legacy of courage and conviction will continue to strengthen and encourage the pro-life movement for years to come.

National Right to Life extends its deepest sympathies to Charlie Kirk’s family, friends, and the countless lives he touched.

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 mourned the passing of Dr. James Dobson, the founder of both Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council. Dr. Dobson was a powerful and compassionate advocate for life whose leadership left an indelible mark on the pro-life movement.

In response to his passing, Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life stated, “The contributions of Dr. James Dobson to the pro-life movement cannot be overstated. He was a steadfast defender of the right to life and a highly respected leader whose voice carried great influence. With clarity and conviction, Dr. Dobson consistently affirmed the dignity of every human being and called upon the pro-life movement to remain unwavering in its commitment to protect the most vulnerable among us. His enduring legacy will continue to shape and strengthen the defense of life for generations.”

In 1990, Dr. Dobson addressed over 700,000 thousand attendees at National Right to Life’s Rally for Life, urging the movement to remain steadfast in its mission. His words then—and throughout his decades of service—reminded pro-life Americans that persistence, faith, and courage were essential to protecting the unborn.

“Dr. Dobson’s voice and vision gave encouragement to countless pro-life leaders, families, and everyday Americans who believed that every child deserves a chance at life,” Tobias added. “We grieve his passing, but we also celebrate a life lived with purpose, conviction, and unwavering dedication to the cause of life.”

National Right to Life extends its deepest sympathies to Dr. Dobson’s family, friends, and the countless lives he touched through his decades of faithful service.

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 – The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) submitted formal comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly opposing three separate citizen petitions filed by abortion advocates and allied states that oppose any efforts to strengthen safety protocols and seek to remove the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) safety requirements for the abortion drug mifepristone.

National Right to Life also called on the FDA to reverse its approval of mifepristone.

“Despite decades of evidence showing the dangers of mifepristone, abortion advocates are pushing to strip away even the minimal safeguards that remain,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “The REMS protocols exist because this drug can cause life-threatening complications—including hemorrhage, sepsis, and undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy—and eliminating these protections would be reckless and politically motivated.” 

Responding to petitions from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and allied medical groups, the abortion pill manufacturer GenBioPro, and the states of Massachusetts, California, New Jersey, and New York, NRLC warned that removing REMS protections would place women’s lives at increased risk and further compromise the FDA’s drug safety standards.

NRLC emphasized that the REMS program—requiring prescriber certification, informed consent forms, and screening for contraindications—is not an “undue burden” but necessary for a drug that can cause serious injury or death.

“Women deserve real medical care, not a pill in the mail and instructions to lie to emergency room staff if something goes wrong,” said Tobias. “We call on the FDA not only to reject these petitions but, at a minimum, to restore in-person dispensing, reinstate full adverse event reporting, and begin independent post-market studies to assess the true dangers of mifepristone.” 

Tobias continued, “National Right to Life asks the FDA to reverse its original approval of mifepristone, a dangerous drug that has never saved any lives and was irregularly approved under a provision that was meant to be used for serious life-threatening illnesses. By doing so, the FDA would ensure that lives are protected from a drug that kills unborn children and endangers women.”

NRLC’s comments cite:

• FDA data documenting at least 36 deaths and thousands of adverse events linked to mifepristone use.

• Peer-reviewed research showing significantly higher complication rates for chemical abortions compared to surgical abortions, including a Finnish study reporting surgical intervention rates of 5.9% for chemical abortions versus 1.8% for surgical procedures.

• A 2024 Ethics and Public Policy Center report finding an 11% serious adverse event rate in U.S. insurance claims data—far higher than the 0.5% often cited by abortion advocates.

• Known risks of ectopic pregnancy, which occurs in 1–2% of pregnancies and can be fatal if undiagnosed—especially in telehealth abortions without in-person screening.

• The elimination of mandatory adverse event reporting in 2016, which has masked the true extent of complications.

NRLC’s letter in response to the petition of ACOG, the Society for Family Planning, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine can be found here.

NRLC’s letter in response to the petition of GenBioPro can be found here.

NRLC’s letter in response to the petition of Massachusetts, California, New York, and New Jersey 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 – As the Knights of Columbus begin their 143^rd Supreme Convention, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) joins Pope Leo XIV in commending the pro-life work of the Knights of Columbus.

In his video greeting to the Knights of Columbus gathered in Washington, D.C. for their convention, Pope Leo XIV said, “I commend your efforts to bring together men in your communities for prayer, formation, and fraternity, as well as the many charitable efforts of your local Councils throughout the world. In particular, your generous service to vulnerable populations, including the unborn, pregnant mothers, children…”

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

We praise the Knights of Columbus for their extensive efforts to help women and their preborn babies. The Knights of Columbus have been unwavering in their support for the pro-life movement, and the work of over 2,700 pregnancy help centers across the United States. We join Pope Leo XIV in commending the work of the Knights of Columbus and their consistent, steadfast dedication to protecting the lives of the most vulnerable among us.

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 — The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) praised Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin today for his courageous leadership in protecting women and unborn children by cracking down on the illegal shipment of abortion pills and calling on Congress to act decisively against pro-abortion “shield laws.”

“Attorney General Griffin has shown strong, principled leadership in defending the laws of Arkansas and standing up for the rule of law,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “The illegal distribution of abortion pills like mifepristone not only violates state statutes but also puts women at risk. We commend Attorney General Griffin for taking a bold stand to hold violators accountable and to restore order and respect for life in a post-Roe America.” 

Rose Mimms, executive director of Arkansas Right to Life, praised AG Griffin, saying, “Arkansas Right to Life applauds the leadership of our Attorney General to protect the pregnant girls and women in our state that are targeted by out of state and foreign profiteers who have blatant disregard for the laws of our state.”

Attorney General Griffin announced that he sent cease-and-desist letters to multiple entities and tech companies that are either directly shipping abortion drugs into Arkansas or facilitating their promotion and distribution in violation of state law. He was also joined by 15 state attorneys general in urging Congress to consider federal legislation that would preempt state-level shield laws designed to block enforcement of pro-life laws.

Griffin emphasized that following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, states like Arkansas have the constitutional authority to ban abortion and enforce their own laws—but rogue entities continue to defy those laws with impunity.

“These so-called ‘shield laws’ are a direct challenge to states’ sovereign ability to protect life,” Tobias continued. “Attorney General Griffin is right to call on Congress to take legislative action to prevent pro-abortion states from sheltering bad actors who profit from chemical abortions while disregarding state laws and endangering women.”

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 praised Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey following a lawsuit AG Bailey’s office filed today against the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. AG Bailey’s suit, grounded in Missouri’s Merchandising Practices Act, seeks financial penalties exceeding $1,000 per woman impacted—potentially reaching millions in restitution.

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

National Right to Life applauds Attorney General Bailey for taking decisive action to protect women and expose the dangerous disinformation being spread by Planned Parenthood about the abortion drug mifepristone. This isn’t a matter of political posturing—this is about truth and women’s health. It’s unconscionable for the abortion industry to prioritize revenue over the lives of women. 

Thanks to Missouri’s bold leadership, we now have an opportunity to bring light to these dangers and ensure that women are fully informed about the dangers of mifepristone abortions.

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 responded to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) announcement of sweeping reforms to the organ transplantation system showing egregious and alarming violations and horrifying stories of patients who showed signs of life—indicators that should have stopped the organ procurement process.

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

National Right to Life welcomes the HHS investigation and the administration’s decisive response to deeply troubling revelations regarding premature organ procurements. The pro-life movement holds the sanctity of every human life as paramount, and these findings are deeply disturbing. Allowing organ procurement processes to move forward on patients who may still be alive contradicts our fundamental moral principles and undermines public trust in the transplant system. Horrifying accounts aren’t isolated anecdotes—they’re evidence of structural flaws that demand accountability, transparency, and immediate reform.

HHS noted that a report by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) reviewed 351 donations and found 73 patients exhibited neurological activity, with at least 28 cases where organ retrieval began before legal death was established.

A July 20 New York Times report highlighted cases under donation‑after‑circulatory‑death (DCD), in which patients appeared to have regained consciousness while being prepared for organ harvest—even undergoing incision—before procedures were halted.

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, the U.S. Secretary of the Army released a letter apologizing for an anti-terrorism briefing created by a local garrison employee at Fort Bragg in North Carolina that equated National Right to Life (NRLC) with terrorist groups and accused NRLC of fomenting violence and clinic bombings.

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

We welcome the apology from the U.S. Army and thank the U.S. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll for recognizing that the Biden administration had an “inadequate response” to the offensive training presentation used at Fort Bragg.

We thank the Secretary for his assurances that the U.S. Army does not believe that National Right to Life is a terrorist organization and that it does not believe pro-life Americans and their beliefs are considered indicators of terrorism.

In our over 50-year history, National Right to Life has always had a policy of peace and has consistently, and unequivocally, condemned violence against anyone.

A copy of the letter from the U.S. Secretary of the Army 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 — The National Right to Life Committee commends Tuesday’s ruling by a three-judge appeals panel that the FDA’s approval of mifepristone does not preempt West Virginia’s ban on mifepristone, the abortion pill.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the clear constitutional authority of states to protect unborn children in GenBioPro v. Morrisey.

“This ruling represents a powerful reaffirmation of a state’s right to protect the unborn,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “We welcome this decision and applaud the court for upholding the rule of law.”

In a 28-page opinion, U.S. Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III wrote,

Just after the Supreme Court restored the states’ traditional authority to regulate abortion, GenBioPro would have us wrest it right back from them. Appellant attempts to assemble a preemption theory out of statutory scraps and fragments that do nothing to hide the fact that the theory is but a fig leaf for an assault on the Dobbs decision.

Tobias continued, “We praise West Virginia’s pro-life legislators, West Virginians for Life and pro-life West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey for championing the right to life for the most vulnerable among us.” 

After Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, West Virginia passed The Unborn Child Protection Act, which made it a felony, except under certain circumstances, to prescribe, sell or dispense mifepristone—even by telemedicine.

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 condemned Planned Parenthood’s decision to sue the Trump administration over the newly enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which strips the abortion industry of taxpayer funding for one year.

“Planned Parenthood’s priority is abortion—not women’s health, not compassion, and certainly not life,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “This lawsuit is a desperate attempt to maintain their grip on public dollars. But the American people are watching—and they deserve better than being forced to fund abortion providers.”

The One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law on July 4th by President Donald J. Trump, includes critical provisions that halt the use of taxpayer dollars to subsidize the abortion industry. It passed narrowly in Congress after a strong show of resolve from pro-life lawmakers.

“President Trump and pro-life leaders in Congress delivered a major victory for unborn children, their mothers, and for taxpayers,” Tobias continued. “It’s shameful—but not surprising—that Planned Parenthood is turning to the courts to overturn the will of the people and protect their multimillion-dollar abortion enterprise.”

National Right to Life applauds the administration for standing firm in the face of legal threats and urges the courts to uphold the law as a legitimate exercise of Congressional authority.

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.