The Zika virus that has threatened pregnant women in South America has made its way to the United States, with over 400 cases now surfacing in Florida. If infected with the virus, babies have the risk of being born with a birth defect called microcephaly, a condition in which a baby is born with an abnormally small head. Some pro-abortion groups have insisted that mothers who become infected with Zika should have the right to terminate their pregnancies.
Yet, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is voicing a different perspective.
Rubio acknowledges that children with microcephaly will face a "lifetime of difficulties," yet the important part is that he or she will have a lifetime."I understand a lot of people disagree with my view – but I believe that all human life is worthy of protection of our laws. And when you present it in the context of Zika or any prenatal condition, it’s a difficult question and a hard one," Rubio told POLITICO.
"But if I’m going to err, I’m going to err on the side of life."
The Susan B. Anthony List applauded Rubio's remarks, noting that America is supposed to be a nation that defends disability rights.
“Senator Rubio is absolutely right," said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser in a statement on Monday. "Zika should not be used as a springboard for a search-and-destroy mission against disabled babies. Rather, adults, children, and unborn children who are victims all deserve the same standard of care. Killing the patient is not medical treatment and we cannot make advances in medicine if we destroy patients before we find treatments for them. The United States strives to be a beacon for disability rights. To advocate abortion in cases of Zika and other prenatal diagnoses is a major step backwards for the rights of Americans with disabilities and a distraction from the urgent need to develop a vaccine or method to eliminate mosquitoes carrying the virus."
Dannenfelser also chided Senate Democrats for using the Zika epidemic to try and protect their pro-abortion legacy. They defeated the legislative effort this week to provide funding for Zika research in part because it didn't properly fund Planned Parenthood and Obamacare.
The SBA List shared the story of an impressive young woman who is thriving in Brazil as a journalist. She just happens to have microcephaly.