Bria Roddewig was already a mother of four when she discovered she was pregnant with her fifth child. She had not planned for this pregnancy, and she felt alone and scared. She needed help through this difficult time.

That’s when she found Options Clinic, her local pregnancy resource center that offers free or low-cost support to women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. Options Clinic gave Bria a holistic understanding of her situation, and more importantly, hope. They showed her that she was not alone, and that her child was a precious gift.

Options Clinic is one of the 3,000 pregnancy resource centers in the US that provide compassionate care and practical assistance to mothers facing unplanned or difficult pregnancies. They are part of a larger pro-life movement that seeks to protect the dignity and rights of every human being, from conception to natural death.

While Bria welcomed her fifth child into the world with the support she needed, pro-life policies in her home state of Montana were changing. The Montana Family Foundation has been working tirelessly to protect life in Montana since the overturn of Roe v. Wade. In today’s live video, Bria Roddewig and Derek Oestreicher of Montana Family Foundation share how pregnancy resource centers and pro-life policy work together to save lives and protect families.

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Emma Rarden
Communications Specialist – Producer

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It has been quite a year on the pro-life front! We saw Roe v. Wade fall, which was a victory of a lifetime. While it was a very welcome and major development, it has, as expected, shifted the abortion debate in a seismic way. 

November Election

As we analyze the recent election results, the news on the life issue is mixed. The good news is that before votes were even cast in the election, nearly half the states implemented very strong protections for children in the womb and their mothers After Roe—with eight more having at least some good protections.

The bad news is that in the five states (California, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana and Vermont) where abortion was on the ballot, the pro-abortion side won in each instance.

The results in California and Vermont were no surprise. However, the tough fight in Michigan and the losses in Kentucky and Montana were disappointing. In some ways, these states were the victims of unfortunate timing – fighting this battle at a time when the Left was at maximum motivation following the fall of Roe and other major pro-life victories.

Fearing a more pro-life America, Planned Parenthood alone invested a record-setting $50 million in elections, and those on the left nearly unanimously fell in line—making abortion the paramount election issue in many locations, including those five states where life was on the ballot.

Leadership in DC

We now know that control of the U.S. House will change in January. That means an end to the extreme “abortion-on-demand up-to-birth” approach that Nancy Pelosi’s House has taken at every opportunity. We also sense that persistent legislative efforts to use tax dollars to fund abortion will cease as well. Because of this change in leadership, pro-abortion legislation originating in the Senate will now have much less likelihood of being approved over the next two years.

Election Night did bring many victories for pro-life candidates across the country at all levels of government, but especially in state-level offices and legislatures. These are fantastic victories that will advance pro-life efforts both administratively and legislatively!

The biggest stories from election night were the decisive victories for pro-life governors in Texas, Florida and Georgia – all unabashedly pro-life leaders in their own right who spoke apologetically about their pro-life position. Confident, bold leadership to protect life can prevail, as we saw in these and other locations.

Looking Ahead

We cannot deny that the overturning of Roe was a critical win—and it has already led to the saving of many thousands of babies. But as we said before—and this election proves—the road to making abortion unthinkable still requires our diligence and commitment.

So, while we long for the day when we look back and wonder how we let abortion ever exist in this nation, we are not there yet. Much like the era of Jim Crow laws which  desperately sought to legally extend racism in a number of states, we are in the battle to end abortion state by state. As we know from the last 50 years with Roe v. Wade, it is a slow, sometimes painful process.

Martin Luther King, Jr. noted, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Whether we experience advances or setbacks, we persist in the proclamation of the sanctity of life across our nation, and we are not going anywhere. There is simply too much at stake.

John 1:5 tells us that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Interestingly enough, science itself has observed the light of life – an actual flash of light occurring at the moment of every human conception – the very beginning of life itself!

May that be a profound encouragement to us all as we press forward in the work to make a difference and quite literally, help spread the light of life!

For the light of life,

Robert Noland
Director, Audience Engagement

Dear Friends,

This week, I am thrilled to announce a new initiative towards our goal of seeing life cherished in New Mexico. It is an initiative that brings to mind Ezekiel’s vision in the valley of dry bones. Ezekiel’s vision was a promise that God would restore his people. You see, we are dry; void of life because of sin. But God brings life in one powerful breath and brings dry bones to life! New Mexico is currently a pile of dry bones when it comes to our current legislation regarding life. We need a revival. We need dry bones to come alive and I believe God is preparing a way for that very revival. It is possible, but we need you!

What’s coming?

As you know, Roe set the precedent for our country in its recognition of ‘abortion before viability’ as a constitutional right. Today, the Supreme Court will hear a case that could lead to the overturning of this precedent. If Roe is overturned, Roe’s viability standard no longer holds up. While this will be a great victory for our country in the stand for life, it unfortunately does not change anything for New Mexico.

In 2021, New Mexico repealed a pre-Roe trigger law that would have banned abortion in the state if Roe is overturned. This trigger law required that abortion could only take place if it was a justified medical termination and could only be performed by a licensed physician, using acceptable medical procedures in an accredited hospital. The repeal of this law stripped our state of all protections for the unborn. In fact, we have been called, by some, the late-term abortion capital of the nation. The 2021 repeal also stripped conscience protections from healthcare workers. We have no delay requirements, no parental consent for minors, no counseling requirements for a woman desiring abortion, and no standards of care. This means that we have a lot of work to do in order to gain ground in the fight for life.

We Must:

There is a long road ahead of us, but we are determined to stay the course. Now we have to fight like our lives depend on it because there is an unborn child’s life that does.

We need your help!

This organization is able to make a difference because of the generosity of people like you. We run solely on the donations of our ministry partners and this month I am asking for your help. We have set a goal of raising $25,000 to help our organization continue to be the active voice for the issues that matter most.

Are you with us? Will you support a revival that could be as life-changing as dry bones coming alive?

Standing Firm,

 

 

 

Jodi Hendricks
Executive Director

Dear Friends,

This afternoon, I had the privilege of attending an event with Vice President Mike Pence called Life Is Winning to celebrate all the accomplishments in the pro-life movement over the past four years.

And I assure you—none of these incredible accomplishments would have happened without you. Through your biblical citizenship, you have faithfully voted for pro-life leaders, advocated for pro-life laws through our Action Center, and supported mothers and babies in your own communities.

By God’s grace, and because of you, the list of accomplishments Vice President Pence and other leaders in the Trump Administration were able to share was a long one. Here are just a few examples:

These are amazing accomplishments, and I am rejoicing with you! But, most importantly, Vice President Pence reminded us today of why we work so hard together to advance the dignity and worth of every human life in culture, law, policy, and elections:

He who said before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. This is about life. We do well in this movement to always remind ourselves that when we make the cause for life our cause, we make His work on this earth our very own. So do not grow weary in doing well because in the last four years we’ve shown when men and women of faith and conviction come together to stand up for the unborn and to speak out for the voiceless, life can win in America, and with your help and God’s help life will keep on winning in the United States of America.

Indeed. We are in the pro-life movement not for political wins for their own sake—but because the value of every human life made in the image of God is at stake.

President Trump’s press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, also joined us at the event. She shared how the cause for life has become even more near and dear to her heart as a new mom this year. It was a powerful moment when she said:  “This is not about a woman’s right to choose. It is about a human being’s right to live.” We are image-bearers of the living God, and that must mean something in America’s law and culture.

At the end of the event, Tom McClusky, the Vice President of Government Affairs for our friends at March for Life, presented a letter to Vice President Pence thanking him and President Trump for all their work advancing the right to life over the past four years. The letter was signed by over 70 organizations, including Family Policy Alliance.

I hope you’ll join us in “not growing weary in doing good,” because we have much work to do advancing the cause of life in 2021!

I will end this letter to you with the encouraging words Vice President Pence shared with me today:  “We will see the sanctity of life restored to the center of American law in our time.”

For all created in His image,

Craig DeRoche
President and CEO

 

 

 

Friends:

Two weeks ago, Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico® released its 2020 Legislative Pro-Life Scorecard which reflects the pro-life/pro-abortion positions for every incumbent State Senator and State Representative in the New Mexico Legislature. However, given the upcoming June Primary Election, many have inquired about the positions of other legislative candidates running in contested Democratic and Republican primaries.

This week, we are providing the results of our research after reviewing endorsements from our friends at Right to Life Committee of New Mexico, legislative voting records, public comments, candidate questionnaires from the Albuquerque Journal, and endorsements from the pro-abortion political group, Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico.

Candidates in GREEN have stated positions and/or cast votes consistent with a PRO-LIFE platform.

Candidates in RED have stated positions and/or cast votes consistent with a PRO-ABORTION platform.

We hope this information is helpful for you! Please feel free to forward and share with others.

Sincerely,

Vince Torres
President & Executive Director

 

 

State Senate Contested Primaries

District 3 – Democrat
Sen. Shannon Pinto – Supports abortion per Governor’s Office Press Release (7/18/19)
Dineh Benally – Position unknown
Shawn Nelson – Position unknown

District 4 – Democrat
Sen. George Munoz – Recommended by Right to Life
Noreen Kelly – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)

District 5 – Democrat
Sen. Richard Martinez – Endorsed by Right to Life
Leo Jaramillo – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood

District 8 – Democrat
Sen. Pete Campos – Recommended by Right to Life
Connie Trujillo – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood

District 9 – Democrat
Ben Rodefer – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)
Kevin Lucero – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)
Brenda McKenna – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood

District 9 – Republican
Bridget Condon – Endorsed by Right to Life
John Clark – Pro-Life per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)
Tania Arletha Dennis – Position unknown

District 10 – Democrat
Katy Duhigg – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Alan Hall – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)

District 17 – Democrat
Shannon Robinson – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)
Sen. Mimi Stewart – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood

District 19 – Republican
Rep. Gregg Schmedes – Endorsed by Right to Life
Sen. James White – Endorsed by Right to Life

District 20 – Democrat
Martin Hickey – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)
Nancy Savage – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)
Rebecca Stair – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Idalia Tena – Failed to answer

District 20 – Republican
Karin Foster – Position unknown
John Morton – Endorsed by Right to Life

District 28 – Democrat
Siah Hemphill – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Sen. Gabriel Ramos – Endorsed by Right to Life

District 30 – Democrat
Pamela Cordova – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Sen. Clemente Sanchez – Recommended by Right to Life

District 30 – Republican
Kelly Noble – Pro-Life per campaign website
Joshua Sanchez – Position unknown

District 31- Democrat
Sen. Joseph Cervantes – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Melissa Ontiveros – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)
Arturo Terrazas – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)

District 33 – Republican
Sen. Bill Burt – Recommended by Right to Life
Chris Hensley – Endorsed by Right to Life

District 35 – Democrat
Neomi Martinez Parra – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Sen. John Arthur Smith – Recommended by Right to Life

District 36 – Republican
Roger Baker – Endorsed by Right to Life
Kimberly Skaggs – Pro-Life per campaign website

District 38 – Democrat
Carrie Hamblen – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Sen. Mary Kay Papen – Recommended by Right to Life

District 39 – Republican
Joey Tiano – Endorsed by Right to Life
Susan Vescovo – Endorsed by Right to Life

District 41 – Republican
Sen. Gregg Fulfer – Recommended by Right to Life
Rep. David Gallegos – Endorsed by Right to Life

 

State House Contested Primaries

District 13 – Democrat
Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Edwina Pina Cisneros – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)

District 14 – Democrat
Robert Chavez – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)
Rep. Miguel Garcia – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood

District 17 – Democrat
Rep. Deborah Armstrong – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Laura Lucero y Ruiz De Gutierrez – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)

District 20 – Democrat
Meredith Dixon – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Ilena Estrella – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)

District 23 – Republican
Ellis McMath – Endorsed by Right to Life
Audrey Trujillo – Endorsed by Right to Life

District 27 – Democrat
Rep. Marian Matthews – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood
William Orr – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)

District 27 – Republican
Robert Godshall – Endorsed by Right to Life
Jill Michel – Pro-Life per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)

District 34 – Democrat
Bealquin Gomez – Voted against pro-life legislation (2015)
Rep. Raymundo Lara – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood

District 40 – Democrat
Matthew Gonzales – Endorsed by Right to Life
Roger Montoya – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood

District 42 – Democrat
Mark Gallegos – Supports abortion per Taos County Commission Meeting comments (12/30/2019)
Kristina Ortez – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood

District 42 – Republican
Linda Calhoun – Pro-Life per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)
Paul Martinez – Endorsed by Right to Life

District 45 – Democrat
Carmichael Dominguez – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)
Lisa Martinez – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)
Yolanda Sena – Position unknown
Linda Serrato – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Patrick Varela – Endorsed by Right to Life

District 50 – Democrat
Rebecca King Spindle – Position unknown
Rep. Matthew McQueen – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood

District 61 – Republican
Randall Pettigrew – Pro-Life per campaign website
David Snider – Position unknown

District 65 – Democrat
James Magdalena – Recommended by Right to Life
Rep. Derrick Lente – Voted for pro-abortion legislation (2018)

District 70 – Democrat
Robert Anaya – Supports abortion law repeal per Albuquerque Journal Questionnaire (2020)
Ambrose Castellano – Position unknown
Anita Gonzales – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood

 

Paid for by Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico

Dear Friends—

Today, Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico is pleased to release its 2020 New Mexico Legislative Pro-Life Scorecard!

As one of our state’s leading pro-life organizations, we are helping spearhead the effort to promote a culture of life and push back against the radical agenda of the abortion industry. Our hard work paid off in 2019 with the historic defeat of House Bill 51. This legislation was an attempt by pro-abortion Legislators and the Governor to codify elective abortion up to the moment of birth in state law. However, after House Bill 51 passed the House, eight pro-life Democrats joined all Republicans in the Senate to defeat the bill—an action which represented one of the most meaningful victories for the pro-life movement in New Mexico history.

Thanks to the vote on House Bill 51, we now have almost every State Senator and State Representative on record regarding their position on abortion. As for those Legislators who did not vote and those who were appointed after the 2019 Legislative Session, we used prior votes, public statements, and Planned Parenthood endorsements to determine their pro-life/pro-abortion position.

The result is that we are able to share with you today positions for every single State Senator and State Representative in New Mexico!

As pro-life New Mexicans, we must all know where our local Legislators stand on the critical issue of life and we encourage you to help us distribute this information far and wide. Here are some ways you can help!

  1. Please forward this email to as many friends and family members as possible.
  2. Please share the Scorecard on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Link to Scorecard: fpaofnm.com/prolifescorecard
  3. Please print and distribute as many copies of the Scorecard as you would like.
  4. Please forward this email to your pastor(s).
  5. Pastors—please consider sharing the Scorecard with your people.

Thank you in advance for assisting us in our efforts to promote a state where life is cherished, and special thanks to our pro-life Legislators for speaking up and standing for the preborn children of New Mexico!

Standing Together for Life,

Vince Torres
President & Executive Director

2020 New Mexico Legislative Pro-Life Scorecard

If you do not know who your State Senator or State Representative is, CLICK HERE; enter your zip code and click “GO”; then click on the “New Mexico” tab.

Click for larger image


Click for larger image

Dear Friends—

In the midst of these challenging times, I am proud to bring you some good news in the form of another pro-life victory in our state.

Recently, the Cimarron Village Council passed a pro-life resolution affirming the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. The resolution was introduced by Council Member Matthew Gonzales and it was unanimously passed by the four Democrats and lone Republican on the Council.

The Council resolution states in part:

“[W]e, the members of the Cimarron Village Council, declare that innocent human life, including fetal life, must always be protected and that Society must protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

The Village of Cimarron now joins at least five other New Mexico local governments that have passed pro-life resolutions around the state. This list includes the Lea County Commission, the Eddy County Commission, the Hidalgo County Commission, the Roswell City Council, and the Kirtland Town Council.

While New Mexico is infamously regarded as the “late-term abortion capital of the country,” these local governments are trying to reverse the culture of death in our state by promoting a culture of life. We applaud them, and we ask the question:

Which local government will be next?

As previously reported, County Commissioner James Martinez has proposed a pro-life resolution in Rio Arriba County, but it has not yet been voted on. If your county, city, town, or village is not on this list, please consider contacting your local County Commissioner or Council Member this week and ask them to introduce a similar resolution.

Together, let’s send a message to the abortion industry—that New Mexico is a pro-life state!

Standing with you for life,

Vince Torres
President & Executive Director

 

To read the Village of Cimarron’s pro-life resolution in its entirety, please click here.

 

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.” (Psalm 31:8)

Dear Friends,

Earlier this year, thousands of pro-life New Mexicans rallied together to defeat one of the most radical pro-abortion bills in the country—House Bill 51. Our victory sent shockwaves through the State Capitol and in the days that followed, my phone was flooded with calls from people all over the country asking, “How did you do that?” My response was always the same. We prayed, we spoke up, and we showed up.

 And friends—the time has come for us to do it again!

The fight for life in New Mexico is far from over and today, we begin a new effort to thwart the agenda of the radical abortion industry with the release of our 2020 “New Mexicans for Life” Pro-Life Petition. House Bill 51 will be back during the upcoming Legislative Session in January and we must again send a clear message to the Governor and the members of the Legislature—that we oppose abortion up-to-birth and infanticide, and any effort to repeal important conscience protections for our medical professionals.

Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico is proud to be partnering with Right to Life Committee of New Mexico and New Mexico Alliance for Life on this important project and we are depending on you to make it a success.

Will you help us today by doing 3 things?

  1. Please ADD YOUR NAME by clicking here. It only takes 30 seconds and in addition to your name being added to the petition, a message will immediately be sent to the Governor and your State Senator and Representative.
  2. Please SHARE THIS EMAIL by forwarding it to your family members, friends, and pastors.
  3. Please SHARE OUR PETITION LINK on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram – newmexicansforlife.com.

Thank you for making your voice heard and for speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Standing together for life,

Vince Torres
Executive Director

Dear Friends:

On the heels of the signing of Georgia’s “heartbeat bill,” lawmakers in Louisiana are now poised to pass their own legislation to prohibit abortions on unborn babies with detectable heartbeats. Last Thursday, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards was publicly asked about the bill. Governor Edwards responded:

“In eight years in the legislature, I was a pro-life legislator, 100 percent with the Louisiana Right to Life. When I ran for governor, I said I was pro-life and so that’s something that’s consistent.”

In recent weeks, pro-life Governors across the nation have been signing pro-life legislation at a record pace. Governor Edwards, however, is different from the other pro-life Governors because…Governor Edwards is a Democrat.

Within hours of his public statement, my newsfeeds were flooded with headlines—“Louisiana Governor breaks with Democrats on Abortion.” But the headlines only tell part of the story. Most of the stories do not mention that:

As I was reviewing these facts, I was reminded of what took place during the recent Legislative Session here in New Mexico—when 14 Democrats in our State Legislature opposed the radical abortion bill, HB 51. Surely, the victories happening in legislatures throughout the country are encouraging. At the same time, I believe they represent a response to an even greater force at work—and that is, the power of culture.

For years, the radical, pro-abortion lobby has portrayed the life issue as a battle between Republicans and Democrats; between young people and older people; and between women and men. A recent poll, however, revealed that a majority of Americans now support laws that would ban abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected; that younger voters are more supportive of the laws than older voters; and that women do not differ significantly from men on the issue.

You see, this issue not a matter of Republican versus Democrat, young versus old, or even woman versus man. It is simply a matter of life versus death; and, thank the good Lord, life is winning in America!

It’s time that life wins in New Mexico too, and soon, we will have our opportunity.

Sincerely,

Vince Torres
President and Executive Director

P.S. I want to personally thank every one of you who took time to read, forward, and reply to last week’s email – “Governor Lujan Grisham Sends a Message to Hollywood.” I have never received so many responses and I am deeply grateful for all your words of support!

Dear Friends:

In case you missed it, our core issues at Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico have been in the news locally and nationally.

Family – New Mexico Ranks Last in the Nation for Child Well-being…Again

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, New Mexico once again ranks last in the nation for childhood well-being. The report revealed that children living in single-parent families has increased to 45% – 11% higher than the national average – and the teen birth rate is now 28 per 1,000 – 9 births higher than the national average. The children living in high-poverty areas is up to 24%, which is double the national average. The full report is available here.

 Life – Liberal Ninth Circuit Issues Surprising Pro-Life Ruling

Late last week, it was announced that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Trump Administration’s “Protect Life Rule” could go into effect immediately. The Rule, which blocks federal funding to clinics sharing space with abortion providers (e.g. Planned Parenthood), was previously halted by lower courts. However, the three-judge panel for the Ninth Circuit allowed the Rule to go into effect while other lawsuits proceed.

Religious Freedom – U.S. Supreme Court Allows Bladensburg Cross to Stand

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to allow a 94 yearold World War I memorial in Bladensburg, Maryland to stand. The memorial, which features a 40-foot cross, was previously deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Seven of the nine U.S. Supreme Court Justices, however, disagreed with the lower courts ruling. Justice Alito, writing for the majority, penned that “destroying or defacing the Cross that has stood for nearly a century would not be neutral and would not further the ideals of respect and tolerance embodied in the First Amendment.”

As a reminder, this week is your last chance to have your gift to our Family Policy Foundation Statesmen Academy doubled thanks to a matching grant provided by some of our generous ministry partners. If you want to help us train and support Christian legislators and aspiring policymakers, please make your tax-deductible donation today!

Thank you for your support!


Vince Torres
Presiden and Executive Director