(WNS)–Oklahoma is set to become the second state to prohibit late-term, dismemberment abortions. In a 37-4 vote, the Oklahoma Senate passed a bill based on model legislation from the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC). The House already passed the bill in February by an 84-2 vote. Though Republican Gov. Mary Fallin hasn’t indicated whether she will sign it, she has approved pro-life bills in the past. If the bill becomes law, Oklahoma will join Kansas in banning the late-term abortions. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed a similar measure in April.

(WNS)–The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan human trafficking bill on April 22, scoring a significant victory for Republicans who fought to ensure taxpayer funding wouldn’t go to pay for abortions. “Help is finally on the way for the thousands of enslaved victims who suffer unspeakable abuse in the shadows,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act boosts law enforcement’s ability to pursue perpetrators, strengthens penalties, and establishes a domestic fund to help trafficking victims. The legislation was widely popular, but it only passed after an unexpected month-long stalemate between Republicans and Democrats. […]

(WNS)–In a stern public rebuke, the National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) has condemned the recent decision by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to define marriage as a “commitment between two people.” NBCI’s president, Anthony Evans, chastised the denomination, saying that “by voting to redefine marriage [the] PCUSA automatically forfeits Christ’s saving grace.” Evans’ statement calls for a complete separation of NBCI churches—which, according to the press release, include tens of thousands of congregations across 15 denominations—from the PCUSA. Because the “PCUSA deliberately voted to change the Word of God and the interpretation of holy marriage between one man and one woman,” […]