West Virginia has a chance to make state history as well as send a strong, clear message to Democrats in Washington. The question is whether or not we will claim victory and make that statement, or sink into the abyss that is status-quo for Democratic led politics.

Let’s be clear on the facts first.

West Virginia currently has no laws restricting abortion. Not one. A woman can have an abortion in West Virginia up to the moment of birth for any reason and no one will ask a single question. West Virginia is just one of nine states that have no laws protecting unborn life. What makes this so ironic is that most of our elected lawmakers claim to be pro-life.

Take Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Unger. Sen. Unger is a religious man that claims to have a very strong pro-life position. And yet, as I’ve already written about, rather than doing something about the many abortions taking place daily down the street from the capitol building, he focused on other things.

And Del. Corey Palumbo was recently surprised to learn that West Virginia is just one of nine states that have no abortion restrictions in place. As an elected lawmaker I would think Mr. Palumbo and his colleagues would be well-aware of the lack of oversight or regulations on the abortion industry in the state.

All that aside, West Virginia is now poised to become one of a growing number of states to enact a 20 week abortion ban, and the first to do so from a democratically controlled state. Those two facts are enormous as national Democrats become increasingly supportive of abortion on demand. Here in West Virginia it is well established that a majority of our citizens are strong pro-life supporters and would very much support a 20 week abortion ban.

What’s standing in our way?

First and foremost is our self-proclaimed “pro-life” governor. Gov. Tomblin has stated many times that he is pro-life but has yet to do anything to defend life or encourage the defense of life in our state. Even though our Attorney General, Patrick Morrisey is also pro-life, the governor has not, to my knowledge worked with our AG to encourage or promote the defense of life. Thankfully, AG Morrisey has stood firm in his defense of life and taken steps to show the people that it’s more than just campaign talk.

Gov. Tomblin on the other hand has already hedged against signing the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act by saying he isn’t sure it’s constitutional. That’s an absurd argument as 10 states have already passed similar laws that have stood up to legal scrutiny and challenges. This sounds to me like political posturing on the part of a man that wants to get in good with national Democrats in order to further his political career.

I say that, unashamedly, because any self-respecting pro-life defender would be eager to sign this bill and protect unborn children from the torture of being ripped apart in the womb. The science of fetal pain has been confirmed numerous times and by 20 weeks it is confirmed that unborn children can indeed feel pain. That makes abortion nothing short of torture. If Gov. Tomblin wants to continue claiming to be pro-life he is going to have to put his pen where his mouth is and do something.

To learn more about fetal pain go to the National Right to Life Committee website, or look at the Doctor’s On Fetal Pain website.

I also say that because if Gov. Tomblin really wanted to know about the bill’s constitutionality he could slip on over to Attorney General Morrisey’s office and get his official legal opinion. I am sure AG Morrisey would be able to tell the governor if the bill was constitutional or not. But I am not sure the governor really wants to know about such things more than he wants to find a way to remove himself from the situation.

The inaction of Tomblin reminds me of another career politician from West Virginia, Sen. Manchin. Manchin has always claimed to be pro-life as well but did nothing in the state to defend life either. Now, on the national scene he is in the spotlight as the federal Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is gaining support. But instead of proudly supporting the bill he makes this statement:

“I am pro-life and supportive of the principles in the bill that was just passed in the West Virginia Legislature. I am currently evaluating the constitutionality of the legislation and working with my colleagues to make sure we can pursue a bill that will pass the Senate. My main goal, and one that we can all agree on, is reducing the number of abortions in this country.”

Sounds like Manchin and Tomblin have the same playbook.

Having lived in West Virginia for nearly all of my adult life I have grown to love this state. I am thankful for so many aspects of this state, including the people that continue to live according to many traditional values. But I continue to be frustrated by the political leaders that continuously hold West Virginia back through failing policies. Even though most West Virginians are pro-life and want to see life defended our elected leaders hedge and make excuses.

We have a chance to make history as being the first Democratically-controlled state to pass a 20 week abortion ban. What a beautiful statement to national Democrats on the importance of life. What is needed now is to let Gov. Tomblin know that we support this bill and want to see him sign it.

To contact Gov. Tomblin click here.

West Virginia is so often the butt of jokes and seems to top the worst lists and polls and surveys. This is our chance to show the best West Virginia has to offer and encourage others to do the same. Let’s make sure we get this one right, it really is a matter of life or death.