The Catholic News Agency highlights an “unprecedented surge” of pro-life legislation around the United States:

“The unprecedented surge of pro-life activity in state legislatures this year proves life is winning in America,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List.

“The 61 new laws enacted and hundreds of bills introduced include legislation to stop late-term abortions after five months of pregnancy, end lethal discrimination against unborn children for reasons like a Down syndrome diagnosis, protect unborn babies from the moment their heartbeat can be detected, safeguard women from dangerous abortion drugs, and more,” she said.

This trend, if it continues, may play into the political dynamics of Rhode Island in interesting ways.  Progressives appear to be making inexorable gains here, and more-moderate Democrats can be sure that their intraparty opponents will be looking for excuses to turn their seats more radical.  They therefore may be disinclined to put a target on themselves with pro-life votes.  On the other hand, progressives may attempt to force the issue with pro-abortion votes, which they’ll also feel compelled to pursue in answer to trends elsewhere.

Or maybe (long shot though it may seem) the apparent national turn toward pro-life views speaks to something cultural, substantial, and lasting — like a final acknowledgment of biological science to at least temper ideological zeal — that could begin to erode the far left.

In any event, as tricky as some RI politicians may find the maneuver to be, there’s reason to believe the pro-life constituency represents an underserved market and therefore presents an opportunity.  Early indications are that this may be a piece of the puzzle for Republicans to make gains among minority populations that have tended to vote with the Democrats, too.

Featured image by Justin Katz.