Don’t Flush Babies Act introduced in Congress

Here is a roundup of recent pro-life and abortion-related news.

A bill introduced in Congress on Nov. 5 would require abortion providers to facilitate and ensure the burial or cremation of the remains of babies that are aborted by abortion medications.

Introduced by Rep. Sheri Biggs, R-South Carolina, the bill would require abortion drugs to have a warning against flushing remains of unborn babies down the toilet. Abortion drug providers would be required to include with the medication catch kits for fetal remains.

Documentation provided with the medication’s accompanying catch kit would include the nearest abortion facility or other facility equipped to receive aborted human fetal remains and solid medical waste.

The bill states that “Clear and conspicuous packaging notices on chemical abortion drugs can reduce undignified disposition of aborted human fetal remains and improper disposal of solid medical waste.”

“If at-home abortion pills can be provided under current law, then I am going to make sure they are regulated responsibly,” Biggs said in a statement.

“Abortion pill providers have allowed countless women to abort their children at home without advising on proper disposal, leading to fetal, medical, and other biological remains entering our sewer systems.”

The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas.

The requirement would only apply to the intentional ending of pregnancy; the bill specifies that it would not apply to live births, miscarriage care, or ectopic or molar pregnancies.

National Prayer Vigil for Life set for Jan. 21

The U.S. Catholic bishops announced plans for the annual national prayer vigil for life, set for Jan. 21, the eve of the March for Life.

Hosted each year at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., the vigil is focused on praying “for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life,” according to the bishops’ announcement.

Mass will begin at 5 p.m. local time on Jan. 21, with Bishop Daniel Thomas, who heads the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pro-life committee, giving the homily.

There will also be a 7 p.m. Holy Hour in the lower level of the basilica. The vigil will conclude at 8 a.m. the following day with a closing Mass.

Both the vigil’s opening and closing Masses will be broadcast by EWTN.

New York court rules in favor of abortion pill reversal

A New York court ruled in favor of pro-life pregnancy centers’ right to tell clients about abortion pill reversals.

The New York federal district court ruled on Nov. 6 to protect speech about the effectiveness of abortion pill reversal through the use of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone.

In 2024 New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a civil lawsuit against pregnancy centers in New York for promoting abortion pill reversal, launching the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. James case.

Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Gabriella McIntyre welcomed the decision, saying: “The district court was right to allow women to hear about this option and make that choice.”

“Many women regret their abortions, and some change their minds after taking the first abortion drug and want to try to save their unborn babies’ lives,” McIntyre said. “The New York attorney general has desperately tried to censor and keep women in the dark about abortion-pill reversal, but they have every right to be empowered with information about this potentially life-saving option.”

DOJ to take over Texas Planned Parenthood lawsuit

The U.S. Justice Department plans to join a state lawsuit against Planned Parenthood over $10 million in alleged Medicaid fraud.

The DOJ’s Nov. 6 announcement that it would intervene came on the heels of the election of a new attorney general in the state, Democrat Nathan Johnson.

The lawsuit accuses Planned Parenthood of improperly billing Medicaid when Texas had acted to remove it as a Medicaid provider. The lawsuit seeks more than $1.8 billion. The lawsuit is proposed to go to trial in April 2027.