Daniel Webster
As the results from Tuesday’s election continue to be tallied, political pundits are analyzing the outcome, noting that while the red wave predicted by many Republicans did not materialize, power in at least one house of Congress will shift from Democrats to Republicans. The shift has the potential to significantly curtail the administration’s ability to advance progressive policies. Furthermore, a Republican-controlled House of Representatives will likely launch investigations into the actions of some federal agencies, including many of the COVID-19 health and education polices and the DOJ probe into parents’ involvement at contentious school board meetings. On the state level, several states considered abortion ballot measures in response to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade that sent the abortion issue back to the legislatures for regulation. Backed by large national fundraising efforts, pro-abortion advocates prevailed in California, Michigan, and Vermont as voters approved state constitutional amendments to make abortion a right in their state constitutions. In Kentucky, voters rejected a constitutional amendment which would have declared no right to an abortion or funding of abortion. It should be noted that Kentucky already has a law in place which prohibits abortions except when the mother’s life is in danger; this law is being challenged in court, so the issue now rests with the state supreme court. Five states had ballot measures regarding the legalization of marijuana. While two states passed the measures (Maryland and Missouri), voters in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota voted against the measures, led by a large coalition of faith and civic leaders. Ben Johnson, writing for The Washington Stand, noted that “pro-family leaders cared less about the margin of victory than the quality, competence, and faith of the leaders empowered at the polls.”
In the Senate, the Georgia race appears to be headed for a run-off in December, the outcome of which could determine the majority party in the Senate. The impact of this run-off could significantly affect votes on issues concerning to Christian schools both in the lame duck and in the 118th Congress. The Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA) is waiting for a vote in the Senate, having already passed the House during the summer. The bill is presented as simply a codification of the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision which legalized same-sex marriage; however, the language of RFMA goes beyond what the Obergefell decision approved, thereby endangering not just religious liberty, but also parental rights, child safety, Christian education, and school choice. The AACS has prepared an issue brief which outlines these concerns. During the lame duck, the Senate is also likely to consider the inclusion of females in the draft when it reauthorizes the National Defense Authorization Act. This issue has been vigorously debated over the last year, and the AACS has joined other groups in urging the Senate not to take this step. As the balance of power for the Senate remains at play, we encourage those who are concerned about these issues to contact your Senators and urge them to oppose both the Respect for Marriage Act and the inclusion of females in the draft.