New at AUL.org

Review of the 110th Congress: Pro-Life Advances and Attacks, and Where We’re Going from Here

By J. Margaret Datiles, AUL Staff Counsel

Review and Analysis of the 2008 State Legislative Sessions

By Denise M. Burke, AUL Vice President & Legal Director

FOCA -- The Freedom of Choice Act: A Radical Attempt to Prematurely End Debate Over Abortion

By Denise M. Burke, AUL Vice President & Legal Director

Why the States Did Not Prosecute Women for Abortion Before Roe v. Wade

By Clarke D. Forsythe, AUL Senior Counsel

What Exactly is “Constitutional Personhood”? The Definition of Personhood and Its Role in the Life Debate

By J. Margaret Datiles, AUL Staff Counsel

Americans United for Life uses a proven three-pronged strategy -- Education, Legislation, and Litigation -- to protect life through the law. Our comprehensive, beginning-to-end approach is reducing abortions and helping state after state become more pro-life every year.

Education

AUL lays the intellectual groundwork to help convince legislators, judges, and policy makers of the necessity and constitutionality of common-sense laws. During the year, AUL's experts educate hundreds of legislators on abortion, bioethics, and the end of life. From ground-breaking legal research and writing to hosting Legislator Educational Conferences (LEC's), AUL develops educational resources and programs that directly support and promote our legislative efforts.

Legislation

No matter how well-intentioned a law is, it won't have the intended effect if it isn't worded correctly; in fact, sometimes it can actually make matters worse. AUL attorneys are highly-regarded experts on pro-life legal language and the Constitution, consulting on bills and amendments across the country. In addition, our model legislation enables legislators to easily introduce bills without needing to research and write the bills themselves, helping ensure that their efforts will have the desired impact and withstand judicial scrutiny.

Litigation

Once a pro-life bill is passed and signed into law, Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and/or the Center for Reproductive Rights routinely file suit to block it in state or federal court. AUL assists the state Attorneys General in defending laws by offering invaluable legal expertise, or by representing the state on behalf of the people. AUL has participated in over 90% of the pro-life cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government."
Thomas Jefferson
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson
(Washington, DC: Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, 1904) 359.