Vice President JD Vance addressed thousands of pro-life advocates Friday at the 53rd annual March for Life, urging them not to lose hope amid concerns about the Trump administration’s pace on abortion policy. Speaking to a crowd gathered on the National Mall in Washington, Vance acknowledged internal debates within the pro-life movement over whether sufficient political progress has been made.
Vance said he understood frustrations among activists who believe change has not come quickly enough through the political process. He told attendees that disagreements over strategy are natural and said such discussions help hold elected officials accountable.
Vance urged the crowd to remain encouraged, quoting scripture and calling on activists to remember the broader goals of the movement.
The vice president noted the generational differences within the crowd, pointing to younger attendees who have only known the legal landscape following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
He contrasted that with older activists who spent decades advocating for abortion policy decisions to be returned to voters rather than courts.
Vance referenced personal experiences with ballot initiatives and acknowledged both victories and setbacks faced by pro-life advocates over the years.
He encouraged attendees to reflect on where the movement stood a decade ago compared to its current position.
“We have made tremendous strides over the last year,” Vance said, while adding that significant work remains ahead.
Vance said the Trump administration would continue advancing policies aligned with the pro-life movement and pledged continued engagement with activists.
The remarks came amid ongoing concerns among conservatives over enforcement of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for most abortions.
Republicans have also pressed the administration to review the safety of mifepristone, the first drug used in medication abortions, and to reverse policies allowing abortion pills to be distributed by mail.
During his speech, Vance outlined actions the Trump administration says it has taken to reverse abortion-related policies implemented under the Biden administration.
Vance said the administration ended prosecutions of pro-life activists who were charged for actions such as praying outside abortion clinics.
He said the administration also halted federal policies that allowed taxpayer funding for abortion-related travel expenses.
Vance said the administration has expanded religious liberty protections and conscience exemptions for healthcare workers.
He said new policies ensure that medical professionals are not required to participate in procedures that conflict with their religious beliefs.
Vance also said the administration has defended faith-based foster care and adoption programs.
He criticized policies implemented under former President Joe Biden and said those policies no longer reflect the federal government’s approach.
The vice president also highlighted what he described as pro-family initiatives supported by the administration.
Those initiatives include expanding the Child Tax Credit and launching “Trump Accounts,” a pilot program that provides $1,000 for children born between 2025 and 2028.
Vance said the administration is also pursuing policies aimed at increasing homeownership among young families by limiting Wall Street purchases of single-family homes. He said those policies contribute to what he described as a broader “culture of life.”
Vance also pointed to new investigations into pandemic-era loans issued to Planned Parenthood affiliates.
He said the administration has barred 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 also worked with congressional Republicans to prevent federal health programs from being used to fund abortion services.
Vance said those changes reflect a broader effort to reshape federal policy on abortion and family issues.
