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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - MARCH 13, 2024
UPCOMING PRIMARIES: AZ, FL, IL, KS, and OH take place on March 19. For election and voting information, visit My Voter Hub and click on your state.
In this week's Intersect, read about:
Recapping Biden’s 2024 State of the Union
“President Joe Biden frequently contrasted himself with his “predecessor” in a wide-ranging State of the Union Address on Thursday. While news coverage generally focused on a handful of quotes, Biden discussed a wide range of issues, including NATO, January 6th, IVF, abortion, the economy, infrastructure legislation, unions, healthcare, taxes, housing costs, education, unauthorized immigration, voting rights, gun regulations, Ukraine, Israel, and China.” read more at AllSides
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- This State of the Union address sounded more like a campaign speech, but it highlighted the impact this election will have on our country. It’s worth paying attention to what the President said. “If Americans send me a Congress that supports the right to choose, I promise you, I will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again!” He also called on Congress to “Pass and send me the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act!” Both bills give extraordinary power to the federal government and enable it to stop election integrity measures by states. Biden also urged Congress to pass the Equality Act, a bill that attacks biological sex and gender, freedom of speech, religion, and conscience. The fact that half of Congress loudly cheered for ungodly policies during Biden’s address shows us that the issue doesn’t just lie with the president. And it doesn’t lie solely with Congress. It also lies with We the People who elect them.
- It’s also worth noting how the President framed his policies versus those of his predecessor—and by extension, framed this election: “Again and again I’ve seen the contest between competing forces in the battle for the soul of our nation.” He is correct that we are in a battle. Scripture reminds us that we are in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12), and evil can be restricted or advanced through government policy. (Romans 13:3-4) Biden also said, “Not since President Lincoln and the Civil War have freedom and democracy been under assault here at home as they are today.” I would say that virtue and common sense are what are under assault.
- The traditional response from the opposing party was delivered by U.S. Senator Katie Britt, (R-AL). Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. also garnered attention by releasing his own “State of the Union” address in a nine-minute video, proposing that the American people can heal our divisions with the right leadership.
PRAY.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the freedom to vote for our elected officials. I recognize that it is a great responsibility and ask for Your wisdom as I cast my votes at the local, state, and national level. Help me to discern what my candidates stand for and whether their policies violate or uphold Your principles.
ACT.
My Faith Votes is partnering with Patriot Academy to offer you a FREE Biblical Citizenship course. This seven-week online course gives you the tools you need to defend freedom and faith in these uncertain times. You’ll gain more constitutional knowledge than 99% of Americans and learn tangible action steps for preserving liberty. The first session starts March 21 and meets every Thursday. Learn more and save your seat here!
Garland Calls Election Reforms ‘Discriminatory, Burdensome, and Unnecessary’
“Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an address Sunday at a church in Selma, Alabama, characterized state election laws designed to verify mail-in ballots, restrict drop boxes, and require voter ID as ‘discriminatory, burdensome, and unnecessary.’ Experts say the attorney general’s comments don’t line up with the views of a supermajority of Americans, and that the Biden administration intentionally is undermining election reform efforts ahead of the November elections.” read more at The Daily Signal
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- The new Republican National Committee leadership disagreed with Garland's comments, saying the top priority of the party is “protecting the vote” in November’s elections. Voter ID laws have bipartisan support, with 64% of Democrats and 95% of Republicans supporting the requirement of a voter ID, according to a January poll. Currently, 16 states do not require voters to provide identification to cast their vote.
- Who can vote? In 1996, Congress passed a law prohibiting noncitizens from voting in federal elections, such as the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and presidential elections. The federal law did not address state or local elections. Now, both sides of the aisle are advocating for their policies on the matter. Last week, Senate Democrats shot down proposed legislation that would exclude illegal immigrants from being counted on the census for the apportionment of House seats and the Electoral College. Most Americans do not realize that the US census currently counts, for purposes of voting power, all people in a district, regardless of citizenship. With the sheer number of illegal aliens living in and coming into the US, that could greatly impact representation in elections. On the Republican side, Mississippi’s Secretary of State sent a letter to Attorney General Garland, asking the Department of Justice to stop enforcing a Biden executive order that he warns is being used to attempt to register ineligible convicts and illegal aliens to vote. In Congress, GOP lawmakers have introduced seven pieces of legislation, recently passed out of the House Administration Committee, intended to prevent noncitizen voting or foreign interference in state and municipal elections.
- Voting—the act of choosing who will make the laws we live under—is one of the most important checks on the abuse of power; it protects our liberty. Protecting liberty requires us to provide opportunities for every eligible citizen to vote while guarding against fraud. Contrary to popular narrative, we can do both. What should a Christian’s goal be concerning voting rights and election integrity? Proverbs 28:21 says, “To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.” Providing a reasonable opportunity for citizens to vote while guarding their vote from being negated is a God-honoring pursuit.
PRAY.
The election process is a means by which freedom is preserved. Pray faithfully for this system to remain lawful, fair, and free in America. Download this free prayer guide that includes seven specific ways to pray for election integrity.
ACT.
Where does your state rank on election integrity and why? Find out here.
Washington Legislature Approves Citizen-led Parents’ Bill of Rights
“The Washington state legislature on Monday passed a Parents’ Bill of Rights to protect parental involvement in the state’s education system. Washington’s Initiative 2081 ensures parents can review and oversee what their children are being taught in public schools, and it protects parental rights in several important ways.” read more at the Daily Citizen
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- The passage of Initiative 2081 comes as a rare win for conservatives in the far-left Evergreen State. Surprisingly, the initiative passed the Senate unanimously and was approved by the House in an 82-15 vote. In the state of Washington, citizens can gather signatures on a measure to send to voters on the ballot or to the Legislature to enact into law. In this case, since passed by the House and Senate, the initiative becomes law and does not require action by the governor. It will take effect 90 days after the legislative session ends in June.
- At the federal level, My Faith Votes joined with the Promise to America's Parents Coalition, a group of over 40 organizations working to protect every parent’s right to make decisions regarding their child’s education and health care. We sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging Congress to pass the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act (FRRA). This Act was introduced in the House and Senate on January 10 of this year. FRRA is a restriction on the operation of the federal government, limiting it from interfering with parental rights, and requires federal officials to satisfy the strict scrutiny standard to justify any infringement upon that right. It would give families a fair hearing in court when the federal government enforces any policy against parents in a way that undermines their right and responsibility to raise, educate, and care for their children.
- Why is this important? At My Faith Votes, we know that parents’ rights are God-given, natural, pre-political rights that have a long, well-established history in Western legal thought and tradition. In nearly every case, parents are best suited to protect their children’s health and welfare, yet parental rights are increasingly under attack from public school indoctrination and government-sanctioned interference. Parents have the right to direct the care and upbringing of their children – it’s good when the law recognizes this fact.
PRAY.
Heavenly Father, You ordained the family and gave parents their authority. Let our laws reflect that truth and let our government respect the rights and authority of parents. Help me be a good steward of the responsibilities You have given me for my children and my civic responsibility to protect parental rights. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
ACT.
Urge your House Representative and Senators to pass the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act. Take two minutes and use our easy tool that already has the message crafted and recipients set for you. Send your message here.
3 States Advance 'Baby Olivia' Bill Requiring Schools to Teach Truth About Fetal Development
“A handful of states recently advanced a pro-life bill that would require public school students to be shown a fetal development video as part of their health education. The ‘Baby Olivia’ bill requires middle and high school students to view a medically accurate video created by Live Action on fetal development from the moment of fertilization until birth. Live Action is a non-profit pro-life organization founded by Lila Rose. So far, members of the Kentucky House advanced the bill as well as the West Virginia Senate, and the Iowa Senate.” read more at CBN News
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- North Dakota became the first state last year to require “Baby Olivia” or a similar video to be shown in public schools. In addition to the three states mentioned above, a similar bill was filed in the Missouri House this year. In the current push for “comprehensive sexuality education,” which includes abortion, wouldn’t we want students to have an informed and scientific view of when life begins? "We believe that one crucial step towards ending abortion in our country is saturating the online market with powerful and transformative pro-life content that counters pro-abortion lies and is proven to change minds and save lives," Lila Rose, the founder of Live Action, stated.
- One of the arguments against these bills claims that the video is “medically inaccurate.” The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which is pro-abortion, said that the video is anti-abortion misinformation "designed to manipulate the emotions of viewers." According to Live Action, however, the video was reviewed and certified by leading OBGYNs and medical professionals. While a real-life video would also be impactful, Baby Olivia provides a valuable and moving picture of God’s miracle of life.
- Iowa Representative Molly Buck (D-Ankeny), who opposes the Baby Olivia bill, claimed, "The question of when life begins is deeply personal. It varies among individuals." Louise King, an OB/GYN and director of reproductive bioethics at Harvard Medical School’s Center for Bioethics, said there is no scientific consensus on the exact moment a human life begins, and the video is an attempt to advance the idea that fetuses are people and abortions are morally wrong. Their statements are shocking and revealing. This video simply shows the objective fact stated in numerous biology textbooks that life begins at fertilization. It’s hard to deny the truth when videos like Baby Olivia put it right before our eyes.
PRAY.
Pray that more will see the Baby Olivia video, realize the value of human life, and be inspired to speak up for the unborn. (Proverbs 24:11-12) Pray for these bills being considered in KY, WV, MO, and IA. Pray that through efforts like these, we would raise up the most pro-life generation in history.
ACT.
Do you think the video is worthy of students watching? I encourage you to watch the 3-minute-long video for yourself. It may be a simple way to help someone see the sanctity of life.
My Faith Votes—is a nonpartisan movement that motivates, equips and activates Christians in America to vote in every election, transforming our communities and influencing our nation with biblical truth. By partnering with national faith leaders, My Faith Votes provides resources to help Christians Pray, Think, and Act to create an America where God is honored in the public square.
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