U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., joined U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., in backing U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner’s, R-Mo., reintroduction of the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.”
“The Born-Alive Act ensures that infants born alive after an attempted abortion receive the same protection of law and degree of care as any newborn,” Wagner’s office noted.
The proposal “requires that health care practitioners who are present at the live birth exercise skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child—the same degree of care that would be offered to any other child born prematurely of the same gestational age…requires health care practitioners and hospital employees to report violations to law enforcement authorities, reducing the number of born-alive abortions that go unreported; penalizes the intentional killing of a born-alive child through fines or up to 5 years imprisonment; gives the mother of the abortion survivor a civil cause of action against the abortionist and protection from prosecution, recognizing that women are the second victims of abortion and promoting the dignity of motherhood.”
Wagner weighed in on Monday on why she brought the bill back.
“All children should have the right to receive lifesaving care, especially those who survive an abortion. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act will provide commonsense protections for innocent children and their mothers and will ensure all babies receive the essential care they need at an incredibly vulnerable moment. It pains me that this fight has to be fought at all, but medical care for babies should not be a partisan issue. Now, with Republicans in the majority, the House will finally take action and vote to protect the fundamental right to life,” Wagner said.
“On the first day of the 118th Congress, I am proud that Republicans are following through on the promises that we made to the American people. All life is sacred and must be protected. Congresswoman Wagner’s legislation will give babies born alive during an abortion the necessary, lifesaving medical care that any other baby would receive to give them the best chance at life. It is appalling that for the last four years, Democrats refused to hold a vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Republicans are committed to defending life and doing everything in our power to keep babies who survive an abortion alive,” said Scalise.
“The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is a key part of Republicans’ promise to the American people to uphold the value and sanctity of life. Over the last four years, the Democrat-controlled House has failed to vote on this bill, and we’re ready to change this, ensuring that babies born alive during abortion procedures receive the lifesaving care they deserve. All life is sacred and I’m honored to join with Majority Leader Scalise and Rep. Wagner in making this statement so early in this Congress,” said Cammack who helps lead the House Pro-Life Caucus.
While backers of the bill should find more success in the House this time out, with Democrats in charge of the U.S. Senate, the proposal is not expected to make any progress in the upper chamber.
