U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Tuesday joined pro-life leaders in renewing calls for the House to vote on H.R. 962, the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act a day after Senate Democrats blocked consideration of the bill. House Democrats also have repeatedly blocked requests to bring the bill to the House floor for a vote.
“Senate Democrats last night stood against protecting children,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “They stood in the way of even having an up or down vote. They stood in favor of legalized infanticide. That is not who we are as Americans. Will this Congress stand for a culture of life, or will it allow a radical, anti-life agenda to put children’s lives in danger? It’s time to vote on the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Act.”
BACKGROUND
Walorski recently led 21 of her colleagues in a Special Order, a one-hour series of speeches on the House floor, on the need to pass legislation to protect the lives of infants born alive after failed abortions. She also asked for unanimous consent (UC) that the House consider the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 962). House Democrats objected to the request.
Walorski is an original co-sponsor of the legislation, which would prohibit infanticide and ensure babies born alive after abortion attempts receive the same medical care and legal protections as babies born any other way. H.R. 962 would:
- Require 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 the same gestational age. After those efforts, the health care workers must transport and admit the child to a hospital.
- Require health care practitioners and hospital employees to report violations to law enforcement authorities, reducing the number of born-alive abortions that go unreported.
- Penalize the intentional killing of a born-alive child through fines or up to 5 years imprisonment.
- Give the mother of the abortion survivor a civil cause of action and protection from prosecution, recognizing that women are the second victims of abortion and promoting the dignity of motherhood.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
