U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, said that President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address included a call to action to pass the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, a bill that Roby cosponsored.
“President Trump also offered a pro-life call to action in light of the heartbreaking news that has come out of New York and Virginia in recent weeks,” Roby said. “In the House, Republicans wasted no time in responding. Two of my colleagues in particular, Congressman Steve Scalise from Louisiana, who is our House Minority Whip, and Congresswoman Ann Wagner of Missouri, are leading efforts to force a vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, a bill I cosponsor that would protect babies who are born alive during abortion procedures.”
“If you’ve not heard, the legislature in the State of New York recently cheered loudly upon their passage of a bill that would significantly loosen restrictions on late-term abortions,” Roby wrote. “In Virginia, the Democratic Governor Ralph Northam is facing severe backlash over his support for a similar state measure. He said: ‘Third trimester abortions are done in cases where there may be severe deformities… If a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired.’ These comments are a horrific defense of born-alive abortions – infanticide. No matter your position on abortion generally, I hope we can all agree that if an abortion fails and a child is born alive, the child must be given the same care that any other living, breathing infant would otherwise be given.”
“I truly never dreamt I would see the day America would have government officials who openly support legal infanticide,” Roby continued. “It is stunning, appalling, and heartbreaking. During this challenging time for the pro-life movement in this country, I am very glad that President Trump utilized his platform during the State of the Union address to offer a call to action: We must put legal protections in place for babies who are born alive during botched abortions.”
Roby said, “I remain unapologetically pro-life. I believe life begins at conception and am opposed to abortion at any stage. I understand that not everyone shares my views, but still, I am severely disturbed that this country now requires written legal provisions to protect a living baby. Sadly, in the aftermath of the news coming out of New York and Virginia, it is clear that this step is immediately necessary.”
President Trump stated in his state of the union address: “Lawmakers in New York cheered with delight upon the passage of legislation that would allow a baby to be ripped from the mother’s womb moments before birth. These are living, feeling, beautiful babies who will never get the chance to share their love and dreams with the world. And then, we had the case of the governor of Virginia where he stated he would execute a baby after birth. To defend the dignity of every person, I am asking Congress to pass legislation to prohibit the late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in the mother’s womb.”
“Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life,” Pres. Trump concluded. “And let us reaffirm a fundamental truth — all children — born and unborn— are made in the holy image of God.”
Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Montrose, also condemned the bills legalizing late-term abortion in Virginia and New York.
“I am simply appalled by these barbaric efforts in Virginia and New York to make it legal to take the life of a baby though birth and, according to Governor Northman, after birth,” Rep. Byrne said. “Every life is precious and worth fighting for, and it is heartbreaking to hear Democrats talking so casually about taking the life of a baby. We cannot sit back and allow this to stand. We must speak out and take action, and I am exploring legislation to ensure these actions are treated exactly as they are: as the murder of a child.”
A recent poll showed that only 13 percent of the American people support late-term abortion. Even most pro-choice Americans oppose the killing of third-trimester pre-born babies.
Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
