WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), Representative Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), and Representative Kat Cammack (R-Fl.) announced that Rep. Cammack will file the discharge petition for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act on April 14th during that day’s first vote series. Rep. Wagner’s legislation, H.R. 619, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, mandates that any infant born alive after an abortion receives the same standard of care as any newborn baby. This legislation would also institute penalties for abortionists who allow infants to die or who intentionally kill a newborn. Upon being signed by 218 members of the House, the discharge petition will force a vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act on the House Floor.
“Last Congress, Speaker Pelosi directed her radical caucus to block the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act more than 75 times. Representative Wagner’s legislation states that a baby who survives an abortion deserves the same degree of medical care as any other newborn,” said Whip Scalise. “I am proud to partner with Representatives Wagner, Cammack, and the entire Republican Conference to make it clear that all life is sacred and must be protected. Why are House Democrats refusing to allow a vote on this commonsense legislation that will save lives? The Born-Alive Act deserves a vote on the House Floor. The American people deserve to know where their representatives stand on taking steps to end infanticide.”
“Every single life is sacred and precious—no matter the circumstances of birth. I will not stop working until this legislation becomes law, so newborns have a chance at life when they are at their most vulnerable,” said Rep. Wagner. “For too long, Nancy Pelosi has blocked my commonsense legislation that protects the innocent lives of children born alive. We must take a stand and tell her the American people want the Born-Alive Act passed and signed into law. This should not be a matter up for debate, and I hope every Member of Congress signs this petition so these basic rights are enshrined into law.”
“The right to life is the most sacred, inalienable human right afforded to us in the United States. I will always fight to protect the unborn and am honored to lead the discharge petition for H.R. 619, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act with Whip Scalise and Rep. Wagner,” said Rep. Cammack. “I urge my colleagues to stand up for what is right in putting an end to the dangerous, immoral abortion practices that take place daily in our country, and I look forward to working with Republicans in Congress and everyone who stands for life in moving this bill forward toward a Floor vote this Congress.”
Background on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act:
- 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. After those efforts, the health care workers must transport and admit the child to a hospital.
- 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.
Background on the Born-Alive Act Discharge Petition:
- Last Congress, the Born-Alive Act discharge petition set a record for the most signatures within one legislative day of a discharge petition being introduced.
- 218 signatures are needed for a discharge petition to be successful.
- Discharge petitions do not expire during the 117th Congress. At any point in this Congress, upon receiving 218 signatures, this discharge petition would force floor consideration of the Born Alive Act, with no amendments or procedural tactics in order, and proceed to a final vote.