Nebraska Republican Sen. Ben Sasse wrote a Sunday Facebook post explaining why all unborn children have worth.
Down syndrome Gerber Baby Lucas Warren is “all the things we know and love about babies — sweetness, joy and undeniable cuteness. But Lucas is something more: a vivid picture of the dignity of all human beings,” the Republican senator wrote. “Lucas’ dignity is inherent, given by God,” Sasse added.
Gerber Baby chose Lucas for the new face of its 2018 campaign in early February.
“Every year, we choose the baby who best exemplifies Gerber’s longstanding heritage of recognizing that every baby is a Gerber baby,” Gerber President Bill Partyka said on the “Today” show, announcing Lucas Warren as the 2018 Gerber baby.
“We’re hoping this will impact everyone — that it will shed a little bit of light on the special needs community and help more individuals with special needs be accepted and not limited,” Lucas’s father, Jason Warren, said on the show. (RELATED: Gerber Baby Campaign Marks Historic First With Down Syndrome Cover Child)
Sasse’s fire followed Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus’ brutal op-ed on why it’s courageous to abort unborn Down syndrome babies. Marcus’ piece, “I Would’ve Aborted A Fetus With Down Syndome. Women Need That Right,” in which she argues the inherent purpose of prenatal testing is to be able to abort a child if they have a deformity or some kind of shortcoming. “The evidence is clear that most women confronted with the same unhappy alternative [of raising a child with Down syndrome] would make the same decision,” Marcus asserts.
Sasse detailed how groups in Iceland, Denmark and other European countries are bragging about reaching a 100 percent abortion rate for unborn Down syndrome babies, pointing to France having a movement pushing to make it illegal to advertise happy healthy Down syndrome children.
“There are important pieces of legislation – especially at the state level on Down syndrome selective abortions. But the strength of the pro-life movement isn’t rooted in legislative activism – it’s rooted in love and persuasion. This debate is going to be won by families, by friends, and by neighbors speaking the truth in love,” Sasse told The Daily Caller News Foundation Monday.
France had a 77 percent termination rate, and Denmark had a 98 percent termination rate for unborn Down syndrome babies as of 2015. Ninety percent of pregnant women with a positive Down syndrome test receive an abortion in the United Kingdom, according to the BBC. (RELATED: CBS Says Down Syndrome Is Disappearing In Iceland, But Here’s What’s Really Happening)
ALSO WATCH the Senate fail to pass the 20-week abortion ban:
Sasse went on to list a number of young Down syndrome people who have achieved remarkable feats despite their limitations. “They are some of the most loving, most joyful, most caring people in our communities. That’s something to celebrate,” Sasse wrote.
“Dignity matters. Love matters,” Sasse finished.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
