Equal Protection Bills See Record Momentum in 2026 Legislative Sessions
AUSTIN, TX — With many states concluding their 2026 legislative sessions, the Foundation to Abolish Abortion is thankful to God for record levels of support on bills providing equal protection of the laws for preborn babies.
There were a total of 12 new equal protection bills presented before lawmakers across the country during 2026 legislative sessions with the assistance of the Foundation to Abolish Abortion, in addition to 4 other active bills carried over from 2025 legislative sessions. There was an equal number of active bills at this time last year, even though some state legislatures which normally have equal protection bills only meet biennially and did not convene this year.
These bills would abolish abortion by protecting preborn image-bearers of God with the exact same homicide, assault, and wrongful death laws already protecting born people.
There were at least 130 state lawmakers this year who sponsored or co-sponsored the 16 equal protection bills. This exceeds the 122 lawmakers who supported the 16 equal protection bills filed last year even as fewer state legislatures convened.
Several states witnessed record levels of support for equal protection among lawmakers:
Oklahoma had a total of 26 lawmakers supporting their equal protection bill, greatly exceeding the 7 lawmakers who supported the equal protection bill last year.
Idaho had a total of 29 lawmakers supporting their equal protection bill, setting a new national record and surpassing the 18 lawmakers who supported the effort last year.
South Carolina had the first equal protection bill ever proposed in their Senate.
Bradley Pierce, President of the Foundation to Abolish Abortion, responded to the record levels of support by thanking God and encouraging Christians across the nation to continue fighting.
“We are seeing rapidly rising amounts of support behind equal protection bills as our movement grows and becomes more politically active,” noted Pierce. “The abolitionist movement has more momentum than ever because of our faithful God, and because of faithful everyday Christians across the country whose love for their preborn neighbors moves them to action on their behalf.”
There were many other signs of record legislative support for equal protection:
Illinois, South Dakota, and Tennessee saw their first equal protection bills, with those in South Dakota and Tennessee having 9 and 5 respective sponsors and co-sponsors.
There were three committee hearings scheduled for equal protection bills in South Carolina, Tennessee, and South Dakota, with team members of the Foundation to Abolish Abortion physically present to testify on behalf of the bills at each hearing.
While pro-abortion forces are increasingly taking notice of equal protection bills, many Pro-Life establishment groups still directly oppose equal protection bills and similar efforts to criminalize abortion for everyone willfully involved, including the pregnant woman. The swiftly increasing acceptance of equal protection and criminalization among grassroots conservative Christians in recent years has only increased the desperation of this Pro-Life establishment opposition.
“By the grace of God, abolition and equal protection are gaining ground and winning the argument,” added Pierce. “If we want even more traction in the battle to abolish abortion, Christians must trust in God and patiently endure on behalf of our preborn neighbors.”