On January 29, 2018, a federal judge told participants in a lawsuit forcing pro-life sidewalk counselors to defend themselves against harassment charges, that leafletting is a “form of really protected speech,” and that sidewalks are recognized as the “quintessential public forum.” The words from the bench underscored the arguments of Thomas More Society Special Counsel Martin Cannon. Cannon is defending a group of pro-life advocates who are being charged by New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman in a federal lawsuit that accuses them of threats and violence against abortion clinic patients.

A group of pro-life advocates with Church @ the Rock in Brooklyn, New York, has been targeted for their ongoing sidewalk counseling, prayer and protest activities outside of a Jamaica, New York, abortion clinic. Yesterday’s hearing was a request by the Thomas More Society for the court todismiss the lawsuit against those who have been gathering outside of the Choices Women’s Medical Center abortion facility.

U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon’s questioning of Assistant Attorney General Sandra Pullman in yesterday’s United States District Court – Eastern District of New York hearing in People v. Griepp et al focused on the definition of harassment. The state’s interpretation seemed to focus on the reaction of a person to another’s actions, something that neither…

The U.S. Senate failed to pass a bill on Monday that would have banned abortion after 20 weeks.

The bill, known as the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, fell short of passing by a vote of 51-46, although Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had said, “There is no reason why this should be a partisan issue. I hope that my Democratic colleagues will not obstruct the Senate from taking up this bill.”

Although two Republicans, moderates Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), voted against the bill, three Democrats, Joe Manchin (D-WV), Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA), and Joe Donnelly (D-IN), voted for it. Nevertheless, the rest of the Senate Democrats opposed the bill.

The bill was based on scientific evidence that unborn babies at 20 weeks or more gestation are capable of feeling pain. Alexandra Desanctis at National Review argues that the senators who voted against the bill are evidence of the radical view so many legislators have adopted when it comes to abortion.

“This vote is yet another indication of how radical today’s Democratic party has become on abortion,” she writes.

President Trump also expressed his disappointment that the bill did not pass. It was “disappointing that despite support from a bipartisan majority of U.S. Senators, this bill was blocked from further consideration,” said Trump.

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President Donald Trump will make his first formal State of the Union address tonight.

In 2016, Trump made an informal joint address to Congress. He spoke for about an hour. His address drew some 47.7 million viewers, as compared to Obama’s 2016 State of the Union address, which had just over 30 million viewers.

The speech will start at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

Here’s what you need to know before watching:

1. Immigration – His big message will probably be about his immigration policy. He’s expected to talk about a “legislative framework” that addresses Dreamers. The White House press secretary said it would be a “compromise” both parties could support.

2. Economics – He is expected to also discuss the country’s economic growth and recent tax changes.

3. “Peace through Strength” – After North Korea’s nuclear threats, Trump will also talk about a national security policy that emphasizes “peace through strength.”

4. Infrastructure – Trump promised a 10-year blueprint to rebuild America during campaigning, and he’s expected to talk about his plan. Under his new plan, grant awards to cities can only receive 20 percent of the total project cost.

5. Unscripted – As many well know, Trump has gone off script before and can be unpredictable. He may address other concerns in an unscripted speech.

Rep. Joe Kennedy III, of Massachusetts, will…