Republicans back Guam Heartbeat Act of 2022."

Pro-life activists stage a rally in front of Sagua Managu clinic in Tamuning in this 2018 file photo.

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The Republican Party of Guam issued the following statement in support of Sen. Telena Nelson's Bill 291-36, also known as the “Guam Heartbeat Act of 2022."

The Republican Party of Guam has always supported the Right to Life and the science that life begins the moment of conception, which is why we stand behind and fully support Bill 291-36, also known as the “Guam Heartbeat Act of 2022”."

This legislation is about protecting and saving human life including the most vulnerable, the life in the womb.

Opponents to the bill are claiming that the bill is “moot” since there are no abortion doctors on the island. Although there are no doctors that perform this specific procedure, there are other medical practitioners that still do perform abortions. Pills that essentially force a miscarriage are also being used. Both are also not being reported.

Another false narrative that is always part of this argument is that proponents for this type of legislation don’t address social issues, such as, but not limited to, foster care, adoption, homelessness, and sexual assault. These are issues that require a moral responsibility that should be addressed by all parties, always, regardless of their position on abortion. We don’t need to fix the world to justifya person’s existence, and equally important is that we can’t “only” start addressing these social issues when pro-life measures are introduced.

A related argument is that proponents of pro-life bills are insensitive and neglect victims of rape and incest. In these cases, it is important that these victims get the help and counseling that they need. There are success stories of women and their children who were able to overcome this horrible crime. Punishment should be focused on the perpetrator and not the innocent life inside the womb. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Another claim is that these types of measures only come up during election years to get votes and is backed by a vocal minority, which is an absolute farce. Put simply, this bi-partisan measure, and others like it, are introduced because they are the right thing to do, and there is no “right time” to introduce them. They aren’t pandering to a vocal minority or a quiet majority but instead are focused on the only priority, which is the most vulnerable sitting in a woman’s womb.