House Republicans Pass New Bill
On Thursday, House Republicans passed a pivotal piece of legislation known as the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.” This came just one day after Senate Democrats successfully blocked the Senate version of the bill. The legislation requires that any healthcare professional provide the same level of care and skill to a child born alive after a failed abortion as they would during a routine childbirth. Republicans are framing this bill as a necessary protection for vulnerable infants, emphasizing that it is not an anti-abortion measure but an anti-infanticide measure.
While rare, instances of infants surviving attempted abortions have occurred, and Republicans argue that such children deserve the same rights to life and care as any other newborn. Those who fail to comply with the bill could face severe penalties, including fines and up to five years in prison.
Critics, primarily Democrats, argue that the bill is redundant. They claim that killing a baby born alive after an abortion is already illegal. Some also contend that the bill unfairly targets doctors, suggesting it could result in unnecessary criminal charges against medical professionals who are merely doing their jobs. In fact, some Democrats have gone as far as to call the bill “cruel” to patients facing difficult pregnancies.
However, Republicans are resolute in their position. Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) explained that this bill is about providing humane care to children who survive an abortion attempt, not about regulating abortion itself. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) strongly stated on the House floor, “These children are not junk. They cannot be treated as so much garbage.” He emphasized that the bill aims to uphold basic human dignity and protect the most vulnerable members of society.
The bill has garnered significant support within the Republican Party, passing the House with a 217-204 vote. It is expected to be a key issue in the ongoing debate over abortion and the sanctity of life. The passage of this bill comes just days before the annual March for Life, a prominent pro-life rally in Washington, D.C., further signaling the GOP’s commitment to defending the unborn and advocating for stronger protections for children.
