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Floor Speech

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Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, I rise today to address one of the most consequential decisions the Supreme Court of the United States has ever made.

Four years ago, on this day, our country waited with bated breath-- from the streets of Washington, DC, to homes all across America-- waiting to hear news from the Supreme Court on a case that sought to determine the value of human life.

At approximately 10:10 that morning, on June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court announced that, for the first time since 1973, abortion was no longer mandated by Federal law across the Nation.

Overturning Roe v. Wade was an incredible milestone. It reversed precedent set by judges whose interpretations were rooted in judicial activism.

And in Dobbs v. Jackson, the Court made clear that the issue of abortion--an issue on which people of good faith can disagree--would be returned to the people and their elected representatives.

While today and every day we celebrate this milestone, it is important to remember that the fight for life did not end 4 years ago. It continues today and will continue to be a fight for many years to come.

Abortion remains legal in many States across the country, and, as a result, thousands upon thousands of unborn children are lost to abortion every year. Unfortunately, in some areas, the numbers are rising.

There are serious challenges we face in this fight. The expansion of mail-order abortion pills, individuals traveling across State lines for abortions, and significant funding--taxpayer funding--for organizations like Planned Parenthood are among the most significant issues. It is evident that this battle is far from over.

While we should celebrate the victories that we have achieved, we must also continue to seek new avenues and new opportunities to ensure that every life is protected. One of the most important ways we can do this is by reaffirming the inherent value of life.

Life is not an accident or a coincidence. It is a gift from God and a blessing, and it is the very greatest gift we can share. Life is the foundation of every other right we hold dear. Without life, there can be no liberty, no prosperity, no pursuit of happiness.

Protecting life means more than just defending the unborn. It also means supporting mothers. It means uplifting pregnancy resource centers and ensuring that when mothers welcome children into the world, they have the support that they need.

I am reminded of how important this fight is every January, when thousands gather in Washington, DC, for the March for Life. People from all across the Nation come together and walk miles and miles, marching for the unborn and the protection of human life. They remind us that this is a moment and a movement of conviction, of compassion, and of courage.

The decision 4 years ago today was the result of millions of Americans working, standing, speaking, marching, organizing, and praying. That is why, a year ago, I introduced a resolution to designate June as ``Life Month,'' so that each year we can recommit to celebrating and defending the preciousness of life.

Today, I call upon my colleagues in the Senate to help pass this resolution so that we can be reminded every June of the importance of the fight for life, that we can recommit to the American ideal that every single life has dignity, and that we can stand together as a nation that chooses life.

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