Amid Psaki’s Mockery, Some Republicans Consider Rebranding ‘Pro-Life’

It appears that attempts in some quarters of the GOP to rebrand the term “pro-life” to “pro-baby” is not settling well among many liberals and conservatives alike. Democrats, such as former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, are openly mocking this potential switch, comparing unborn babies to “a lump of coal.” At the same time, conservatives claim this rebrand would not solve the “larger problem.”

Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) has been credited for coining the new label. “[‘Pro-baby’] was just a term of my creation to demonstrate my concern for babies,” he said. Psaki responded, “I hate to break it to you, but if you call broccoli ‘candy,’ it’s still just broccoli.” She added this rebrand attempt was a futile effort when dealing with a “product that customers hate.” Liberal outlets such as The Intelligencer say that conservatives are playing “language games” in order “to obscure the facts.”

According to National Review’s Madeleine Kearns, the problem isn’t in the term “pro-life” as much as “the unwillingness, if not the inability, to give a coherent account of what it entails in policy and practice.” ABC News reported the diverse viewpoints expressed during a closed door meeting of Senate Republicans earlier this week.

Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.C.) noted in an interview that the terms “pro-life” and “pro-choice” have been distorted over time, or, in his words, they mean “something different now.” The uncertainty of what exactly each party is fighting for caused Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) to point out the need for more “specificity … in talking about abortion.”

Commenting on the debate, a Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America spokesperson shared, “The pro-life movement serves both mother and child. We recognize the need to love and support them both.” The pro-abortion side articulates an emphasis on women and will often refer to them as “pregnant people,” she added. “Now more than ever, the pro-life movement needs to continue emphasizing its commitment to both women and children.”

Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) further pointed out that what is truly effective is defining the GOP’s stance on abortion, rather than simply changing the name. “People require more in-depth discussions,” she said. “You can’t get away with a label anymore. What we’ve learned is you have to dive in and talk to people about very specifically where you are on that subject.”