A number of pro-life activists and groups are speaking out after Democrats blocked the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act” Monday.
The bill, introduced by Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska, would have penalized doctors with up to five years in prison for not assisting infants born alive after an abortion. It would have also required that an infant born alive in an abortion clinic be transferred to a hospital.
"(Senators) need to show what side they're on,” Sasse had told CNA last week. “It's a pretty simple question: are you on the side of these vulnerable little babies, or are you on the side of Gov. Northam and his defense of infanticide?"
But Washington Senator Patty Murray moved to block the bill Monday, claiming it was unnecessary because there are already infanticide laws on the books. The proposed legislation would build upon the Born Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002, further clarifying the “duty of care” owed to infants born alive after an abortion.
“Senate Democrats had the chance today to prove they are not the party of infanticide, and instead they doubled down on extremism,” said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser in a statement. “The Democratic Party’s agenda of abortion on demand through birth and even beyond is radically out of step with the standards of decency the overwhelming majority of Americans expect from their leaders. We urge the Senate to bring the bill to the floor for a recorded vote so Americans can know where each senator stands, and we urge its passage. It’s time to get this bill swiftly to the President’s desk for his signature.”
Jill Stanek, SBA List’s National Campaign Chair, is a former nurse who personally witnessed late-term babies born alive during abortion procedures. According to Stanek, those babies were left to die. Stanek also issued a statement about the blocking of the bill.
“It is appalling to watch Democrat senators argue against this compassionate bill. In abortion facilities and hospitals around the country, children born alive have been denied medical care and left to die – cold, alone, abandoned and discarded like medical waste. Pleading ignorance is not an option especially in the wake of efforts in New York and Virginia to legalize infanticide. Everyone should be able to agree on equal protection under the law for these children.”
Family Research Council president Tony Perkins also spoke out Monday.
“I’m grieved that any senator would in any way stand with Virginia Governor Ralph Northam who left many wondering last week what he believes about infanticide,” Perkins said in a statement. “The governor seems to be perfectly fine with letting babies born-alive die after a botched abortion, so long as that is the wish of the parents and their physician. Additionally, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo should not have signed legislation expanding abortion until birth while also removing care protections for babies born alive after a failed abortion.”
“Senator Murray won’t have the final say on whether infants born alive will be fully protected by federal law,” added Perkins. “One day soon, I’m confident U.S. senators will be forced to take a vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and then voters will hold them accountable for their votes.”
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