Vance Tells ‘March for Life’ Crowd Trump Administration Is Pressing Forward on Pro-Life Priorities

Vice President JD Vance addressed thousands of pro-life Americans on Friday at the 53rd annual March for Life, emphasizing that the Trump administration is continuing to advance policies aligned with the pro-life movement despite growing impatience among some activists.

Speaking before a large gathering on the National Mall in Washington, Vance acknowledged that portions of the pro-life coalition have expressed frustration over what they view as a slower-than-expected pace of policy change under President Donald J. Trump’s second term. He noted that internal debates within the movement are not only inevitable, but healthy, serving as a mechanism to hold elected leaders accountable.

Vance said he sympathized with activists who believe the political process often moves too cautiously, especially on an issue as morally significant as the protection of unborn life. He encouraged attendees not to allow tactical disagreements to overshadow the broader mission of the movement, invoking scripture and urging perseverance.

The vice president pointed to the generational diversity within the crowd, observing that many younger participants have only known the post-Roe v. Wade legal environment following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn the ruling. He contrasted their experience with that of veteran activists who spent decades working to return abortion policy decisions from unelected judges back to voters and lawmakers.

Drawing on personal experiences with ballot initiatives, Vance acknowledged that the movement has seen both wins and setbacks over the years. He urged attendees to take a longer view and measure progress against where the pro-life cause stood just a decade ago.

“We have made tremendous strides over the last year,” Vance said, while emphasizing that substantial work remains.

Vance assured the crowd that the Trump administration remains committed to advancing pro-life policies and maintaining open lines of communication with grassroots advocates.

His remarks came amid ongoing concerns among conservatives regarding enforcement of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts the use of federal funds for most abortion procedures. Republican lawmakers and pro-life leaders have also pushed the administration to reassess the safety of mifepristone, the first drug used in chemical abortions, and to reverse policies that allow abortion pills to be distributed through the mail.

During his address, Vance outlined a series of actions the administration says it has already taken to roll back abortion-related policies implemented under former President Joe Biden.

According to Vance, the administration ended federal prosecutions of pro-life activists who had been charged for actions such as praying outside abortion clinics. He also said the administration halted policies that permitted taxpayer dollars to be used for abortion-related travel expenses.

Vance further highlighted expanded religious liberty protections and strengthened conscience exemptions for healthcare workers, ensuring that medical professionals are not compelled to participate in procedures that violate their religious beliefs. He added that the administration has defended faith-based foster care and adoption programs that had been targeted under prior federal policies.

The vice president criticized the Biden-era approach to abortion policy, saying it no longer reflects the federal government’s direction under President Trump.

Vance also spotlighted what he described as pro-family initiatives designed to reinforce what the administration views as a broader “culture of life.” These include efforts to expand the Child Tax Credit and the launch of “Trump Accounts,” a pilot program providing $1,000 for children born between 2025 and 2028.

In addition, Vance said the administration is pursuing policies aimed at increasing homeownership among young families by curbing Wall Street’s acquisition of single-family homes, arguing that economic stability plays a crucial role in supporting family formation.

He also noted new investigations into pandemic-era loans issued to Planned Parenthood affiliates, as well as a ban on the use of aborted fetal tissue in federally funded scientific research.

Vance announced what he described as an expansion of the Mexico City Policy, which restricts U.S. taxpayer funding for foreign organizations that perform or promote abortions. He said the administration has worked closely with congressional Republicans to ensure that federal health programs are not used to subsidize abortion services.

According to Vance, these actions represent a coordinated effort to realign federal policy with pro-life and pro-family principles and to move the country in what the administration believes is a life-affirming direction.