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Monday, Aug. 3, 2015 was a monumental day for the process of changing the course of abortion in America. The U.S. Senate took significant time to discuss one of the most important social issues in our country for the past century.

Keep in mind, this process gained significant traction within a month’s time. Nobody was talking about Planned Parenthood on Independence Day. Center for Medical Progress (CMP) did not release its first undercover video until two weeks later.

The Senate did not approve the procedure to advance the Defund Planned Parenthood bill, but much was revealed in that afternoon session. Here are four takeaways from the deliberations.

  1. James Lankford was magnificent

If you have followed me for any amount of time, you know I’m a big fan of Sen. Lankford. He was masterful in his time on the floor. He asked for a time of discussion and respectfully allowed opponents to participate, and Sen. Barbara Boxer accepted his offer.

Lankford’s candor was pleasant to the gentlelady of California. Though Boxer spoke in direct opposition and gave aspects to support her view, Lankford professionally gave answers that debunked her points about Planned Parenthood and community healthcare centers.

Many others were champions for the sanctity of life, including Sen. (Ky.) Rand Paul, Sen. (Ind.) Dan Coats, Sen. (Iowa) Joni Erntz and Sen. (La.) Bill Cassady. Lankford definitely was a leader that day. He had answers for his opponents’ scripted remarks, and though they would not admit it, Lankford’s points could not be refuted.

  1. Opponents are not discussing the issues

I listened to a few senators give their support of Planned Parenthood. Basically they all said the same thing. Some would give a story of an individual woman who received medial help from Planned Parenthood, but I didn’t hear anything that signified such women would not receive similar care from another healthcare center that did not perform abortions.

Taking away women’s healthcare, not offering alternative solutions, claiming it’s a political attack and similar misnomers were read from scripts. A few mentioned the CMP videos were “edited.” But nobody discussed what the problem is. Nobody would address what everyone else is finding disturbing. The senators were so bent on supporting Planned Parenthood at all costs, even the cost of unborn babies who are dismembered and have their body parts sold.

Speaking of CMP videos, another one has been released as I am writing this piece. The content of the fifth video gives more horrifying evidence of the inhumane practices done by Planned Parenthood. Try to disregard however you wish, Senators, more and more people are watching and understanding this disheartening data that is mounting, and your empty speeches are hurting your position.

  1. Importance of showing up

The outcome of the cloture (Senate voting procedure to advance the bill in discussion and ultimately to a direct vote) was 53-46, but 60 votes were needed to advance. To find out how every senator voted, go to this site.

Remember how these senators voted, even the one from South Carolina who abstained. Lindsey Graham is running for president. I don’t see how he thinks not voting on this very important issue would benefit him in the presidential race.

This is not an isolated moment. This is not a bill that election voters will easily forget. Sen. Graham, you made a major mistake. Not willing to advance this bill definitely hindered your advancement.

  1. What’s next?

Though the Senate did not pass the Defund PP bill this time, the House is set up to favor a similar bill proposal. This means chances are good the Senate will address it again.

There are those with Pro-Life leanings who disagree with making the Defund PP a legislative issue right now. Threats of government shutdown and the expected veto by the President are reasons many find this unfavorable.

But this action is helpful for the long haul. As I said before, Planned Parenthood’s exposed practice of harvesting and selling baby parts has only been a hot topic for less than month, and keep in mind, this is gaining traction in spite of limited (almost nonexistent) coverage from the mainstream media.

Don’t throw in the towel. Remember the heroic efforts of William Wilberforce who was instrumental in ending slavery in England in the 18th century. His fight to end that inhumane practice took years, even decades to accomplish.

Consider his words from 1791 to be relevant for today:

“This is the first fruits of our efforts; let us persevere and our triumph will be complete. Never, never will we desist till we have wiped away this scandal from the Christian name, released ourselves from the load of guilt, under which we at present labour, and extinguished every trace of this bloody traffic, of which our posterity, looking back to the history of these enlightened times, will scarce believe that it has been suffered to exist so long a disgrace and dishonour to this country.”