By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Tuesday the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797) which would ban the killing of fetuses after week 20.
Congressman Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia voted for the legislation in approving the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The bill gives legal protections to unborn children capable of feeling pain. Congressman Bachus is a cosponsor of the legislation.
Congressman Bachus said in a written statement, “There is no higher duty than to protect the lives of the innocent and defenseless. Unborn children are members of our human family and should never be subjected to the appalling pain and cruelty that was exposed most recently during the trial of Dr. Kermit Gosnell in Philadelphia. It is imperative that we have a culture which respects and nurtures life and this legislation is in keeping with that moral principle.”
Physicians found in violation of the act would face civil and criminal penalties. The bill is based on laws that have already been enacted in nine states.
The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) wrote in an alert to their members:
“On Tuesday, June 18, 2013, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a bill to protect unborn children nationwide during the last four months of pregnancy, when they are capable of experiencing excruciating pain when they are aborted. The bill is the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797), which is based on a model bill written by the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), which has already been enacted in nine states. H.R. 1797 would extend the life-saving policy to the entire nation, protecting unborn children of 20 weeks fetal age or later.”
The pro-life group wrote that this is the most important pro-life bill to be considered by the U.S. House since the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act ten years ago. The group is urging their supporters to telephone the offices of their representative in the U.S. House of Representatives and urge him or her to vote in favor of the ban on late abortions, H.R. 1797.
The later term abortion ban effort has received new energy after the revelations that noted abortionist, Kermit Gosnell, had killed aborted fetuses outside of the womb. Gosnell was sentenced to three life terms in prison. Congressman Spencer Bachus represents Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District.
