Abraham supports forcing floor vote on Born Alive Survivor Protection Act
Statement
Congressman Ralph Abraham, M.D., R-Alto, is pledging support for an effort to bypass House Democrat leadership to force a floor vote on the Born Alive Survivor Protection Act.
Dr. Abraham is an original cosponsor of the Born Alive Survivor Protection Act, which says that any medical professional who fails to provide care to babies who survive abortions shall be subject to criminal penalties.
"As a doctor, I cannot imagine how anyone calling themselves a medical professional could refuse care to a baby in medical need. I believe that most Americans reject the radical belief among many Democrats that a baby who survives an abortion does not deserve a chance to live. Life is precious, and I will do everything in my power to see that this bill becomes law," Dr. Abraham said.
Republican Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., and U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., intend to introduce a discharge petition to force a vote on the bill. A discharge petition requires 218 signatures from members of Congress to move the bill to the floor for a vote. That process began last week.
Background on the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act:
Requires that health care practitioners who are present at the live birth exercise skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child--the same degree of care that would be offered to any other child born prematurely the same gestational age. After those efforts, the health care workers must transport and admit the child to a hospital.
Requires health care practitioners and hospital employees to report violations to law enforcement authorities, reducing the number of born-alive abortions that go unreported.
Penalizes the intentional killing of a born-alive child through fines or up to 5 years imprisonment.
Gives the mother of the abortion survivor a civil cause of action and protection from prosecution, recognizing that women are the second victims of abortion and promoting the dignity of motherhood.
Source