Mike Pence became the first vice president to speak to pro-life activists at their annual March for Life Friday on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
“I’m deeply humbled to stand before you today. Deeply humbled to be the first vice president of the United States to ever have the privilege to attend this historic day,” Pence told the cheering throngs, who have the political momentum to support their movement for the first time in years.
“More than 240 years ago our founders wrote words that have echoed through the ages. They declared these truths to be self-evident, that we are, all of us, endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” he said.
He then charged that the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court took that right to life away from the unborn by legalizing abortion.
Pence said, however, support for the anti-abortion movement has grown, and cited the formerly pro-choice Donald Trump’s election victory as the latest proof.
“It is no more evident in any way than in the historic election of a president who stands for a stronger America, a more prosperous America, and a president who I proudly say stands for the right to life, President Donald Trump,” he said to more cheers from the crowd.
In Congress, Republican majorities in both chambers are vowing to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood, which provided more than a third of the nation’s abortions in 2014.
They also hope to ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Trump has pledged to sign both measures if they reach his desk.
Pence said the savings would be used to provide more health care for women across the US.
Trump also took to Twitter to offer his support.
“VP Mike Pence will be speaking at today’s #MarchForLife — You have our full support!” he wrote.