Ending weeks of speculation, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announced today on Twitter, ”I am pleased to announce that I have chosen Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential running mate.”

There will be a Saturday news conference, he added. Mr. Trump had been expected to have the news conference today but he held off because of the “horrible attack” that took place Thursday in Nice, France.

“With a solid pro-life voting record on abortion during his time in Congress, and through his pro-life actions as Indiana Governor, Mike Pence has proven himself to be a strong and outspoken leader for the right-to-life,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life.

From the single-issue pro-life perspective, the selection of Pence, who also served six terms in Congress, would be difficult to surpass.

His record on abortion while in Congress from 2001 to 2012 was exemplary.

Then Congressman Pence served on the House Judiciary Committee, and on the Subcommittee on the Constitution. As a member of these key panels, he participated actively in hearings and committee action on a number of major pro-life bills, including the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, enacted in 2003, and the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, enacted in 2004.

He was an early leader of efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. In the current climate of the Obama Administration’s assault on religious liberties, the selection of Pence, a staunch defender of religious freedom, is particularly helpful.

Pence was elected Indiana governor in 2012 and is hugely popular with Indiana Right to Life, NRLC’s staff affiliate.

“Gov. Pence is devoted to protecting the unborn and their mothers,” said Indiana Right to Life President and CEO, Mike Fichter. “Gov. Pence’s pro-life stance is more than a talking point; Gov. Pence has put his pro-life position into action time and time again. Indiana is a better state for the unborn and their mothers because of the Governor’s pro-life leadership.”

Fichter added, “Since becoming governor, Gov. Pence has advanced the pro-life cause through legislation and his administration. Under Gov. Pence, there are four fewer abortion facilities. The state abortion rate has been steadily declining every year. The state is enforcing health regulations that protect women’s health, and abortion doctors know they don’t have a free pass.”

In a press statement lauding the choice, Indiana Right to Life listed the many pro-life measures Gov. Pence has signed to bring dignity to the unborn and their mothers. He has signed bills to

* Promote umbilical cord donation, an ethical alternative to embryonic stem cell research.

* Increase awareness of positive support for parents of Down syndrome children

* Provide information on perinatal hospice to parents who receive an adverse prenatal diagnosis

* Increase informed consent measures for women seeking abortions, including full color photos of fetal development printed in informed consent information.

Gov. Pence’s Real Alternatives program at pregnancy resource centers offers life-affirming and compassionate care to women through pregnancy and as they begin parenting,” Fichter said. “Gov. Pence also has sought to promote adoption through the first ever state income tax credit for Hoosier families who adopt and by hosting an annual Adoption Fair highlighting this loving option.

Mr. Fichter concluded,

“Gov. Pence brings his pro-life credentials to the Trump presidential ticket. In contrast, Hillary Clinton has sought to expand abortion access and fund the life-ending procedure with our tax dollars. She has a cozy relationship with the abortion industry and cannot be trusted to protect life.

“Gov. Pence will advance the cause of life on the campaign trail this fall and will defend the unborn and their mothers if elected Vice President.”

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