In a declaration led by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, Christian leaders are calling on lawmakers to ban the abortion drug mifepristone.
Drafted by a group of more than 30 pastors from around the U.S., the Declaration for Life with Christian Leaders supports pro-life legislation, condemns chemical abortion, and affirms the dignity of unborn children from conception. The four-page declaration has been signed by 100 faith leaders from Missouri as well as 50,000 citizens.
"This Declaration for Life, written by pastors, is calling on everyday Christians across America to stand for life and confront the scourge of chemical abortion," Hawley stated.
"It is the first duty of the Church to defend human dignity where it is denied," the declaration says.
Tony Perkins, who heads the Family Research Council, a national Christian political advocacy group, has been outspoken in his support of the declaration, criticizing the Republican Party's recent silence on abortion.
"There are Republican members of Congress and state leaders who continue to champion the unborn, but the Republican Party has gone all but silent on the issue of life," Perkins stated. "The strong pro-life language that was a part of the GOP platform for decades was removed, and little is said about abortion."
"We are called to defend the defenseless and speak for those whose voices have been silenced," Perkins said.
South Korean bishops oppose abortion pill
South Korean Catholic bishops are opposing the government's expansion of abortion pill use, calling it a "disregard for life."
In response to South Korea's announcement that it will allow the use of abortion pills through nine weeks of pregnancy, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK) released a statement opposing the move.
"The CBCK voices deep concerns as this measure would only institutionalize abortion in an 'orderly' manner, without changing its fundamental nature, while allowing a disregard for life to be more deeply rooted in our society," the bishops stated.
"We eagerly ask the government and the National Assembly to deeply contemplate this and choose a path that both protects life while practically helping women," the bishops continued.
Students for Life launches campus campaign showing human cost of abortion
A fall campaign titled "Abortion Victims: Every Abortion Has a Human Cost" by the pro-life group Students for Life of America (SFLA) will span 150 college campuses across the United States.
Educational displays will highlight the victims of abortion and what abortion procedures look like.
The campaign began Sept. 8, near the one-year anniversary of conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination on Sept. 10, 2025.
"The goal is to continue his legacy of bringing the fight for free speech and the sanctity of life to college campuses across the nation," the group said.
"So many people are harmed by abortion, most notably preborn children," said SFLA Vice President of Field Programs Reagan Barklage. "Millions of children lose their lives every year at the hands of physicians betraying their oath to uphold life, and so many others experience forced abortions in trafficking and abuse. This tour tells their stories — and why we must act to keep others from suffering the same fate."
EPA to test drinking water for pharmaceuticals
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new study of drinking water that will screen for pharmaceutical pollutants.
Pro-life groups have been calling on the EPA to test for water pollution caused by abortion drugs. The EPA had previously said it would investigate.
Missourians split on abortion, poll finds
An August poll found narrow margins in public opinion on an amendment that would protect unborn children in Missouri.
In November, Missourians can vote on whether to repeal a 2024 pro-abortion amendment. In its place, a new amendment would protect unborn babies except those conceived by rape or incest, or in medical emergencies.
The Missouri polls found that 44% opposed the pro-life amendment and 43% supported it, while 13% were unsure.
The poll by SLU/YouGov was conducted Aug. 13–24 and had a margin of error of about 4 percentage points.
When polled in February, 50% of Missourians were in favor of reinstating the pro-life amendment.
California passes bill requiring community colleges to provide abortions
A California bill that would require community colleges to provide medical abortions is heading to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk.
The bill, which the California Senate passed with a 61-17 vote, would require community colleges with medical centers to offer chemical abortion drugs beginning Jan. 1, 2029. Newsom, a Democrat, is expected to sign the bill.
Wisconsin bishops denounce Planned Parenthood lawsuit seeking to overturn abortion safeguards
Wisconsin bishops are opposing a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin to overturn laws protecting women and unborn children.
The lawsuit, filed in Dane County, argues that two Wisconsin laws violate the state constitution. One law requires a 24-hour wait period between requesting an abortion and receiving one; the other law maintains that only licensed physicians can provide abortions.
Abortion in Wisconsin is legal up to 20 weeks after fertilization.
"These commonsense laws provide critical protection and medical safeguards for Wisconsin's women and their children," the statement by the Wisconsin Catholic Conference read. "The suit aims to eliminate these laws not for patient safety, but for profit and expediency. No woman should be rushed into an abortion. When human life is on the line, every moment counts."
Idaho Supreme Court adjusts abortion amendment language following lawsuit
The Idaho Supreme Court overwrote a pro-abortion group's objection to amendment language in a recent decision.
The court approved revised ballot statements for Proposition 1, an abortion amendment set to be voted on this November that would create a "right" to abortion.
The decision approves a clarification of the meaning of fetal viability and adds a more specific description of how a yes vote would be in support of "codifying a statutory reproductive right to freedom and privacy."
Idahoans United for Women and Families, a pro-abortion group advocating for the abortion amendment, had filed a lawsuit over the language and objected to the newly revised statements.
