Two States See Record Legislator Support for Equal Protection as Abolition Movement Grows

In recent years, dozens of equal protection bills have been proposed in state legislatures across the country, and none have yet passed into law. Those who reject equal protection often use this reality as proof of the supposed political infeasibility of abolishing abortion.

But over the past several years, there has been a tangible groundswell of support for equal protection bills, both in the conservative movement and among Republican state legislators. There are now states witnessing record levels of support for equal protection bills as large portions of their Republican caucuses sign onto the efforts as sponsors. 

Oklahoma

There have been at least eight equal protection bills filed in Oklahoma over the past decade with consistently increasing levels of grassroots and political support. The growth of the abolition movement in Oklahoma has resulted in 25 legislators signing onto House Bill 3038 this year, marking a new record level of support for abolition in the state.

With 13 of the 81 Republican members of the Oklahoma House sponsoring the legislation, 16% of the caucus is willing to openly endorse establishing equal protection of the laws for preborn babies. In the same way, with 13 of the 40 Republicans in the Oklahoma Senate sponsoring the legislation, an astounding 33% of the upper chamber now supports equal protection.

The number of legislators supporting equal protection marked a substantial increase from previous years. Senate Bill 456, filed in 2025, had 4 sponsors in the Oklahoma Senate and 3 sponsors in the Oklahoma House.

Oklahoma State Representative Gabe Woolley has enabled such success this year by serving as the primary sponsor for House Bill 3038. In past years, legislators such as Oklahoma State Senator Dusty Deevers, who also serves as a member of the Foundation to Abolish Abortion advisory board, have been instrumental in building cultural and political support for abolition efforts.

Christian abolitionists have more broadly been applying substantial grassroots pressure in Oklahoma over the course of several years, replacing legislators who oppose equal protection and electing those who are willing to fight for abolition. These labors are bearing fruit as more legislators than ever now have the willingness to sponsor equal protection in Oklahoma.

Idaho

With at least four equal protection bills proposed over the last six years, Idaho also has an extensive history of Christian support for abolishing abortion. But this year, the Idaho Prenatal Equal Protection Act has received support from 29 legislators willing to sponsor the effort, marking a new national record for the number of sponsors on a single equal protection bill.

With 10 of the 29 Republicans in the Idaho Senate and 19 of the 61 Republicans in the Idaho House supporting the legislation, 35% of the caucus in the upper chamber and 31% in the lower chamber now support equal protection of the laws for preborn babies.

Senate Bill 1059, filed in 2025, had 12 sponsors in the Idaho House and 6 sponsors in the Idaho Senate, likewise showing the massive shift toward equal protection in only a few years.

In spite of these substantial levels of support, Republican leadership in Idaho has consistently opposed equal protection bills. Idaho State Senator Jim Guthrie even refused to print the Idaho Prenatal Equal Protection Act this year, denying the legislation a number and a hearing.

The growth in support for abolition amid these headwinds is a testament to the leadership of Idaho State Senator Brandon Shippy and other legislators who have contended for equal protection, taking political risks in order to obey God and protect preborn babies.

Scripture reminds those who love the Triune God that they should not despise the day of small beginnings, and that their lives should be marked by patient endurance. The battle to abolish abortion in a nation devoted to the shedding of innocent blood was never expected to be won overnight. But abolitionists have taken these truths to heart, and as a result, the Lord Jesus Christ has immensely blessed their labors over time for the glory of His name.