Another Pro-life Victory!

On Tuesday, June 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act by a vote of 228-196. This legislation proposes to ban abortions after the beginning of the sixth month of pregnancy, or 20 weeks post-fertilization age, at which stage the unborn child can feel pain.

In numerous studies, medical evidence demonstrates that the unborn respond to touch at very early ages, and that by 20 weeks post-fertilization, everything a person needs to feel pain is in place. During an abortion late in a mother’s pregnancy, the baby, who does not receive any kind of pain medication or anesthesia, feels everything the abortionist does to her. Indeed, doctors believe the baby might feel more pain than an adult would in the same situation. Just as an infant is much more sensitive to pain than an older child or adult, the unborn child has not had time to develop tolerance to pain.  

This bill, H.R. 1797, would effectively forbid all abortions after 20 weeks fertilization except those in the cases of rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is endangered. After the trial and conviction of Kermit Gosnell, more people have become aware of the horror of abortion, and H.R. 1797 is one outcome of this increased awareness. Should the bill become law, lives would be saved from painful deaths, mothers would be protected from dangerous late abortions, and fewer Gosnells would be in practice.

North Carolinians should be especially proud of their pro-life representatives who voted in favor of the bill: Representatives Renee Ellmers (R-2), Walter Jones (R-3), Virginia Foxx (R-5), Howard Coble (R-6), Mike McIntyre (D-7), Richard Hudson (R-8), Robert Pittenger (R-9), Patrick McHenry (R-10), Mark Meadows (R-11), and George Holding (R-13). Please contact your representatives and thank them for their support!

While one victory is always worth celebrating, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act still needs to pass in the Senate, after which it faces a likely veto by President Obama. Thank Senator Burr for being a co sponsor of the senate bill and ask his support for the House version.  Ask Senator Hagan to support H. R. 1797.  Make your call today to let your U.S. Senators know that you support life!