President Trump called it "one of the most shocking votes in the history of Congress." And pro-lifers agree. In a vote of 53-44, Congress failed to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE), would mandate care for babies born alive after abortions.
The text seemed common sense enough, but some Democrats reasoned that the bill would place unnecessary obstacles between a woman and her doctor. Others, like Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), said the bill was intended “to bully doctors out of giving reproductive care.”
Not quite, according to its author.
In this country, all of us are created equal. If that equality means anything, surely it means that infanticide is wrong. Frankly, this shouldn’t be hard. pic.twitter.com/9MyPVGpw7p
— Senator Ben Sasse (@SenSasse) February 5, 2019
Sasse also upended the notion that his bill is an "anti-abortion" effort.
"Nothing in this bill touches abortion," he said. "This is about protecting a baby that has already been born alive."
The senator, along with scores of other Republican lawmakers and conservative leaders, asked their Democratic colleagues a few questions after Monday's tragic defeat.
WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ARE WE?
— Rep. Kevin Brady (@RepKevinBrady) February 26, 2019
All but 3 Senate Democrats voted to kill the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act - which requires health care be given to babies born alive in an abortion, just like any baby deserves.
Letting an innocent baby die? After birth?#LetThemLive pic.twitter.com/oQsqLxRMb5
Repulsive. Tell me more about how our children are threatened by climate change while voting not to protect children born alive, Senators. https://t.co/ZMFcgTycxn
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 25, 2019
I don't understand how anyone can say "no" to saving a child’s life, but tonight I watched 44 of my Senate colleagues vote “no” to protect the lives of born-alive abortion survivors. I will continue fighting for the lives of the unborn & the innocent babies who survive abortions
— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) February 26, 2019