By Sam Brown

Sunday, June 30, 2024 | 2 a.m.

Compassion. Understanding. Support.

These words are overshadowed by the politics surrounding abortion. The conversation is so heated these days that the humanity, and the women at the center of the conversation, are altogether forgotten, or worse yet, ignored by the politicians who claim to represent them.

It’s my firm belief that their voices must be heard.

Like many, my view has been shaped through an experience close to home.

Earlier this year, my wife came forward and spoke publicly with NBC News about her own experience with abortion. Amy opened her heart and shared her story so that other women could feel empowered to also come forward and speak. I encourage you to see it for yourself at captainsambrown.com and share it with others.

Before we met, Amy Larsen was an ambitious young woman excelling in her professional career as a young Lieutenant in the United States Army.

She unexpectedly became pregnant. Her then partner offered no support and only demanded she terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible. Her Army care provider told her the same thing.

Amy felt trapped. Alone. Without support or options.

At the young age of 24, with a demanding career and everyone telling her that there was only once choice, Amy made the difficult decision to proceed with the abortion. It was a decision that she has regretted ever since.

When I met Amy, we were both at our lowest points in life. I was recovering from an IED attack that left me with burns covering over 30% of my body, at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

Amy was the critical care dietitian assigned to my recovery. She was going through her own recovery from the abortion she had only a few days prior to my arrival at the hospital.

My wounds were physical; her wounds were internal.

We quickly became close — finding the light within each other. She shared her story with me. I heard her sorrow and did what I could to heal her heartbreak. We prayed together. We cried together. We found strength. We supported each other and healed together.

These are conversations that too many politicians ignore; the stories that are too often unheard.

It’s time we lower the temperature on this discussion and refocus our attention on supporting women. It breaks our hearts that there are women across Nevada and the United States who feel alone, unsupported and without options. This is one of the most difficult decisions a woman can make.

It’s our duty, as a society, to let women know they have options — that they are supported, they are loved, and they are not alone. This includes ensuring that resources are available for pre- and postnatal care when life is chosen.

Yes, Amy and I are pro-life. We believe in exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. It is our hope that women choose life, and more families experience the joys of parenthood.

But we also respect the decision of Nevada voters who have chosen to enshrine legal protections for abortion. These protections have been in place for over three decades. And, contrary to what Jacky Rosen claims, no politician can single-handedly overturn these protections.

The people of Nevada have made their choice, and I will stand by it. That’s what a true representative of the people does.

Furthermore, I have been consistently on the record pledging that I will not support any federal abortion ban. I have gone so far as to break with the Republican Party and tell my future Senate colleagues that I will vote against any abortion ban if federal legislation is brought forward. I will keep that promise.

Dobbs strengthened Nevada’s protections for abortion by confirming this choice is decided by states, not the federal government. I believe very strongly in letting “the people” decide.

Jacky Rosen supports allowing the federal government to impose new rules on abortion, rules that have the potential to go further than Nevadans may desire. But I believe that Nevadans have made their choice clear, and I won’t allow this to be decided by Washington.

Sen. Rosen has launched a multimillion-dollar ad campaign based in fearmongering, and her team has even gone so far as to attack my wife, Amy, for coming forward and sharing her deeply personal story.

Unlike Jacky Rosen, I will not engage in political rhetoric that pits voters against women. This conversation is far too personal to our family and millions of others across the country.

It is my hope that our leaders can return to a mindset of service before self. When I raised my hand and swore an oath to defend the United States of America, it was without prejudice. I was willing to lay down my life, in service, for you … for every Nevadan and American.

Our leaders have lost sight of that kind of dedication to their constituents. Instead, we see the lengths they’re willing to go to keep their jobs. Too many politicians lie and twist the truth even on the most personal and sensitive of subjects like women’s health care, yet still get elected and reelected. It’s shameful.

It’s time voters demand better. Politicians should not be at the center of this dialogue. Women must be empowered to raise their voices, and they certainly shouldn’t be attacked by their sitting U.S. senator for doing so. I hope Sen. Jacky Rosen will abandon her campaign of fear and join Amy and me in helping more women share their untold stories.