Boustany Votes to End Late-Term Abortions

Press Release

Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD (R-South Louisiana), supported passage of H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Boustany is a cosponsor of the bill.

According to a scientific study commissioned by the National Right to Life Committee, an unborn child develops pain receptors that are linked by the nervous systems to the brain by no later than 20 weeks after fertilization. Additionally, a recent study by the New England Journal of Medicine, called "one of the largest and most systematic examinations of care for very premature infants" by the New York Times, found that an increasing number of infants born prematurely are now able to survive outside the womb with proper medical care.

Two years ago this week, noted Philadelphia abortion provider Kermit Gosnell was sentenced to life in prison without parole for brutal abortion practices.

Today, 24 states including Louisiana have already acted to ban late-term abortions. According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the United States is currently one of only seven countries worldwide, including North Korea and China, which allows elective late-term abortions.

The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would ban abortions from 20 weeks after fertilization. The bill includes exceptions for the life of the mother, and for cases of rape or incest.

Boustany said: "As we remember the second anniversary of Kermit Gosnell's conviction for brutal and tragic abortion practices, Congress is taking action to prohibit abortions proven to cause pain and suffering for unborn infants. As a surgeon, I swore an oath to do everything in my power to save lives on the operating table. In Congress, I'll continue fighting to protect those who cannot protect themselves."

Source