WASHINGTON, D.C.—Protecting children born alive after a failed abortion should not be a partisan issue. House Republican Whip Steve Scalise’s discharge petition on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is gaining broad national support and according to polling, 77% of American voters support protections for innocent newborns. Are Speaker Pelosi and members of her liberal caucus listening?
Since states like New York and Virginia acted to legalize late-term abortions, it has become clear that federal action is needed to protect infants born alive. Groups ranging from Concerned Women for America to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are calling on all members of Congress to sign Whip Scalise’s discharge petition and vote for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
In the first 24 hours, 193 members of Congress—including two Democrats—have already signed the discharge petition, the highest number to sign a discharge petition in the first 24 hours in at least 22 years.
To keep track of the growing support for the discharge petition effort, visit RepublicanWhip.Gov/EndInfanticide, and see below:
Groups Key Voting YES on the Born Alive Act’s Discharge Petition:
Susan B. Anthony List, President Marjorie Dannenfelser:
“With growing hostility in certain states, it is incumbent upon the Federal Government to protect these vulnerable born-alive infants. Susan B. Anthony List is proud to endorse H.R. 962, H. Res. 102 and the discharge petition on H.Res. 102.”
March for Life Action, President Thomas McClusky:
“We ask you to join the majority of Americans in recognizing that a child born alive, even if it has been marked for abortion, also has a right to life that should not be ignored. Again, we ask that you vote in favor of H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act and sign H. Res. 102, the discharge petition asking for a vote on H.R. 962.”
Family Research Council, Vice President David Christensen:
“This legislation would require health care practitioners to provide life-saving medical care to babies born alive who survive an attempted abortion, just as they would do for other babies born at the same age of development. Unanimous consent to bring this bill for a floor vote has been denied over 20 times, making it urgent to sign the discharge petition and bring this bill to end infanticide up for a vote.”
Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, CEO and President Penny Young Nance:
“When the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act was brought before Congress in 2002, there was no dissent. We urge you to signal your support of this legislation that holds abortion doctors liable for infants born alive who are not given appropriate medical care by signing the discharge petition. It is the least we can do for the least of these.”
Eagle Forum, Executive Director Tabitha Walter:
“On behalf of Eagle Forum and the thousands of families we represent throughout the country, we urge you to sign onto the discharge petition (H.Res. 102) that brings the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 962). This is a necessary bill that will require medical professionals to perform life-saving measures, including transportation to a hospital, to save a baby that has been born alive during an abortion procedure. It also gives the woman a right of action in these circumstances.”
“While Congress must do everything in its power to limit abortion, especially late-term abortions when the child is capable of pain, this bill is about protecting the life of a child that has already been born. Even a member of Congress who believes in abortion should see the wisdom in supporting a bill that saves a child’s life after a failed abortion attempt. Members on both sides of the aisle who care about basic human rights should sign this discharge petition.”
Groups Supporting the Born Alive Act’s Discharge Petition:
National Right to Life Committee:
“The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the nationwide federation of state right-to-life organizations, strongly urges you to sign the discharge petition.
“In light of the radical trend that started with the signing of the Reproductive Health Act by Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York, allowing abortion through all stages of pregnancy and removing explicit protections for babies born alive during an abortion, there is renewed urgency to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.”
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
“To help ensure that the abortion mentality does not expand to undermine the rights of fully born infants, I urge you to sign the discharge petition for H.R. 962 and vote in favor of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.”
Students for Life Action, President Kristan Hawkins:
“A vote for the discharge petition is a vote to protect infants from infanticide. Where a child is born should not determine whether they can be left to die.”
“The Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (HR962) simply requires that any infant that survives an abortion should be given proper, life-saving medical care. As astounding as it sounds, such care is not required by law and does not necessarily happen.
“Your Representative needs to hear from you on this matter – let them know that you want the law to require that we protect the most helpless of the helpless in our nation.”
American Center for Law and Justice:
“The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act simply requires that health care practitioners who are present when a baby is born alive exercise the same degree of care that would be offered to any other child born prematurely…
“At the ACLJ, we encourage all Members of Congress to sign this discharge petition to force a vote on the lifesaving Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.”
Priests for Life, National Director Father Frank Pavone:
“At a gathering of pro-life leaders today in Washington, we went on the record supporting this bill and calling on Democrats to have the courage to sign their names to a discharge petition that would force a vote on a measure that has nothing to do with limiting abortion, but everything to do with human rights. Babies who survive an abortionist’s best efforts deserve appropriate health care.”