WASHINGTON (May 8, 2013) -- Pro-life members of Congress, led by Congressman Trent Franks (R-Az.) and Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), with strong backing from the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), have re-introduced legislation to curb an ongoing scandal in our nation's capital: The entire abortion law was repealed, and abortion has been made legal -- for any reason whatever -- right up until the moment of birth.
This appalling situation would be addressed by the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797, S. 886). The bill would prohibit abortion in the District after 20 weeks fetal age, unless the mother's life is endangered -- based on compelling scientific evidence that by 20 weeks (if not earlier), the unborn child is capable of experiencing excruciating pain while being aborted. During a 2012 hearing on this legislation, Dr. Anthony Levatino, a former abortionist, explained to a House panel exactly how second-trimester dismemberment ("D&E") abortions are performed -- to see video of his testimony, click here. (Warning: graphic content.)
A recent national poll by The Polling Company found that, after being informed that there is scientific evidence that unborn children are capable of feeling pain at least by 20 weeks, 64% would support a law banning abortion after 20 weeks, unless the mother's life was in danger. Only 30% said they would oppose such a law. Click here to read the NRLC release on the poll. For additional documentation on the pain suffered by unborn children, click here. Pro-abortion groups and their allies in Congress have made it clear that they intend to try to delay, obstruct, and defeat this bill. Please use the tool below to send messages to your representative in the U.S. House and to your two U.S. senators, urging them to cosponsor H.R. 1797 or S. 886, if they have not already done so, and to urge its speedy passage! To view an up-to-date list of the current co-sponsors of H.R. 1797, arranged by state, click here. To view an up-to-date list of the current co-sponsors of S. 886, arranged by state, click here. |
