Inconspicuously under the purview of Americans is a looming threat to the fabric of our country — more specifically, to the fabric of our democracy — and a concoction of savvy political maneuvering has this threat camouflaged by the anti-abortion movement. Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the approaches and goals of both pro-life and pro-choice champions have changed substantially. These changes are more due to political pandering than they are to serve the majority of the United States properly. 

Pro-life Republicans are not blinded by the blunt fact that 69% of Americans want abortion to be legal in the first trimester, nor are Democrats, and this is deeply shaping their political rhetoric and campaigning when it comes to women’s rights and freedoms. Many Democrats are centering their campaigns around women’s and abortion rights, but it seems that pro-choice Republicans are adopting a quieter tactic where they stay silent on this issue but enact policy away from public purview. 

Following the reversal of Roe v. Wade, public dissatisfaction regarding this decision has been quite clear, with 57% of respondents to a Pew Research Center Poll stating they were against the decision to overturn the landmark case. Perhaps a more important signal of public sentiment was when Washington Senator Patty Murray said, “Every place abortion rights were on the ballot last November — every single place — abortion rights won.” Pro-choice democratic political candidates are highly aware of the political advantage that stems from being on the majority side of an issue that resonates so deeply. Across the board, but especially in contested districts, Democrats have emphasized the importance of abortion rights and vocalized their support for women having control over their bodies. 

Given Democrats’ struggles to attract voters due to a stagnant economy and high inflation, they will continue to rely on pro-choice political rhetoric to attract specifically women voters across the entire political spectrum. Thus far, the party has had tremendous success with candidates who have centered their campaign around the issue of abortion rights, winning key midterm races with historically good performances. Abortion rights resonate with voters and pro-choice activists, and Democrats will continue to amplify the importance of voting for pro-choice referendums and candidates. 

Anti-abortion activists and political candidates have now adopted a seemingly opposite tactic, choosing to subtly silence the majority and enacting less overt policy that indirectly restricts abortion rights. Pro-life Republicans are no longer vehemently rallying behind large-scale national abortion restrictions, evidenced by how three dozen Republicans who supported a federal abortion ban before Roe v. Wade was overturned have not signed onto the bill this year. Before the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, political candidates who comprised the anti-abortion movement overtly vocalized their desire to impose abortion restrictions, but the bills and sentiments they spewed had no practical effect because Roe v. Wade protected abortion rights. Their vocalizations were merely political pandering to hard-right conservatives, and without practical power to impose any legislation, they rarely alienated moderate Republicans with this rhetoric. Now that their rhetoric holds weight, they find themselves more likely to alienate a large sector of their women and moderate voters, forcing them to impose abortion restrictions in more indirect manners. Instead of large-scale abortion bans, legislation such as Iowa Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ contraception bill is being presented. While claiming to expand access to contraceptives for pregnant teens, this would omit abortions on the list of services and rights available. 

However, politicians who are in support of the anti-abortion movement have adopted a tactic becoming increasingly commonplace within congressional affairs and should place every single citizen of America who believes in the core principles of Democracy on alert. Pro-life politicians are beginning to silence the majority through manipulative tactics and legislation, conducting themselves in a manner that infringes on every person’s rights as Americans. Across America in states such as Missouri, Ohio and Florida, GOP members have intentionally and arduously fought to remove the topic of abortion rights on ballot initiatives. These GOP members who are part of the anti-abortion movement are attempting to rid voters of the few forms of direct democracy that exist within this country — ballot initiatives allow for state legislation to be dictated by the majority, not solely by the dogma of whatever politicians are governing at the time. These are implicit attempts to subvert the power of the people and silence the majority, ensuring that the issue of abortion rights never reaches the people who are impacted by the restrictions politicians implement. 

The state of pro-choice and anti-abortion movements are radically different than they were even two years ago, and this change stems from the United States Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. A majority of the population believes in abortion rights, which is energizing the pro-choice movement and galvanizing pro-choice Democrats to vocalize their support targeting women voters across every political spectrum. Aware of the backlash that could arise against stringent abortion restrictions, those from the anti-abortion movement have taken a more muted approach, working to indirectly impose restrictions on abortion rights. 

Both parties will take action to implement their beliefs. An issue arises when the power is removed from the hands of the voters, and their voices are silenced. Anti-abortion politicians have revealed their tactic, and it violates the principle right afforded in a Democratic society. This has become a tactic far too often utilized in recent years by politicians, and the issue of abortion rights has become another battleground where the strength of our Democracy will be tested. Anti-abortion movements understand the majority is not on their side, and when you can’t fairly win, the only remaining option is to change the rules. Unfortunately, that comes at the cost of our power, our voices, and our freedoms.