The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Human Life Action (HLA) are urging individuals to contact their Members of Congress in support of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (
S. 311
/
H.R. 962
), which is scheduled for a vote in the Senate on Monday, February 25.
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would require any health care practitioner present when a child is born alive following an abortion to give the same degree of care to preserve the life and health of the child as would be given to any other newborn. And after giving such care, it requires the practitioner to ensure that the child is immediately transported and admitted to a hospital. A USCCB Policy Brief on the Act can be read
here
.
Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Chairman of the Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has
called
on the Senate to enact this law.
Individuals are also asked to contact their U.S. Representative, asking that s/he co-sponsor the House version of the bill (H.R. 962) and sign the discharge petition when it becomes available in April. The discharge petition is a mechanism that allows the House minority to force a vote on a bill. A discharge petition requires a waiting period of 30 legislative days, which in this case will conclude in mid-April. At the end of the 30 days, if 218 Members (a simple majority) sign the petition, the Born-Alive bill will proceed to a vote.
Today, states are not just expanding abortion but allowing infanticide as well. New York passed a drastic law that eliminated protections for babies who survive an abortion attempt. And the Governor of Virginia has openly talked about denying care to babies born alive during a late-term abortion.
Thank you for all you do to promote and defend the sacredness of human life!
