Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. It is a major political action committee and advocacy group dedicated to advancing the goals of the anti-abortion movement within the Republican Party and the broader American political system. Founded in 1992, the organization focuses on electing federal and state candidates who oppose abortion rights and advocates for related legislation. The group is named for Susan B. Anthony, a prominent leader of the women's suffrage movement, a choice that reflects its argument that Anthony held anti-abortion views.

History and founding

The organization was established in 1992 by political activist Marjorie Dannenfelser as the Susan B. Anthony List, initially created to support pro-life female candidates for the United States Congress. Its founding followed the contentious Supreme Court decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which reaffirmed the core holding of Roe v. Wade. The group's early strategy involved direct electoral challenges, such as opposing Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign and supporting candidates during the Republican Revolution of 1994. A significant early victory was aiding the 1998 election of John Ensign to the U.S. Senate from Nevada.

Mission and political activities

The core mission is to end abortion in the United States by building a pro-life majority in the U.S. Congress and in all fifty states. Its activities are centered on candidate endorsement, substantial independent expenditure campaigns, and sophisticated voter mobilization efforts, often targeting key swing states and competitive districts. The organization heavily engages in primary elections to influence the Republican Party's platform and nominee selection, famously withdrawing support from Todd Akin during the 2012 Missouri Senate race after his controversial remarks. It also lobbies for the confirmation of judicial originalists to the federal bench, including the Supreme Court of the United States.

Key legislative and electoral efforts

The group has been a principal advocate for federal legislation such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the defunding of Planned Parenthood. It played a critical role in supporting the confirmation of Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, whose appointments were pivotal to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs decision. In electoral politics, it spent over $52 million during the 2020 election cycle, focusing on races like the Arizona Senate race won by Mark Kelly and the Georgia Senate runoffs. Its "Life on the Ballot" campaign following the Dobbs ruling aimed to make abortion a central issue in the 2022 midterm elections.

Organizational structure and leadership

The organization operates through a network of affiliated entities, including a federal PAC, a super PAC named Women Speak Out PAC, and a 501(c)(4). It is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Marjorie Dannenfelser has served as president since its inception and is a prominent figure within the conservative movement, having served on the White House's Presidential Advisory Council under Donald Trump. The board of directors includes other notable anti-abortion leaders, and the organization maintains a large grassroots donor base and a professional staff of political strategists and field operatives.

Criticism and controversy

The organization faces significant criticism from abortion-rights groups like NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood, which dispute its historical claim to Susan B. Anthony's legacy and its policy goals. Its unwavering support for candidates with strict anti-abortion positions, even in cases of rape, incest, or risk to the mother's life, is a frequent point of contention. The group has also been criticized for its substantial spending in primary elections to defeat Republican incumbents deemed insufficiently anti-abortion, creating intra-party friction. Furthermore, its electoral strategy following the Dobbs decision has been scrutinized after several of its endorsed candidates lost in the 2022 midterms.

Category:Anti-abortion organizations in the United States Category:Political advocacy groups in the United States Category:Organizations based in Arlington, Virginia