The Alvin Sun & Advertiser - Speaking up for those who can't speak for themselves

Op-Ed

By: Pete Olson

Congress has a sacred duty to speak up for those who can't speak for themselves. As a strong ally in the fight to protect the unborn, I'm dedicated to protecting babies who survive an abortion attempt. Sadly, we have failed to pass a federal law protecting these babies and some states are acting to remove protections as well.

While this is deeply disturbing, it is actually increasing support for the pro-life movement. As Axios reports, a recent study shows that support for the unborn is growing in the wake of states like New York and Virginia seeking to expand access to late-term abortions.

A new Marist poll found that 47 percent of Americans identify as pro-life, up from only 38 percent in a poll taken just last month. The survey also found that 80 percent of Americans support limiting abortion to the first trimester. While I oppose abortion at any time, this shows strong support for our efforts to both limit late-term abortions and protect a baby that survives an abortion attempt.

To end this barbaric practice at the federal level and save innocent lives, Rep. Ann Wagner (MO) re-introduced the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This common-sense bill would require that any baby born alive during an abortion be given the same degree of medical care given to other children born alive at the same time. It also includes penalties for health care practitioners who violate the law, while protecting the mother from prosecution.

Sadly, even though there is widespread support for a bill like this, House Democrats refuse to even bring this life-saving bill up for debate and a vote. In March, I made the 24th request for a vote on the Born Alive Act and while asking the House to oppose legal infanticide my microphone was abruptly turned off. There is an unprecedented culture of disrespect for life that must be overcome.

In the minority, we have a few tools ready to deploy to try to force a vote on important bills like this. One tool is a legislative procedure known as a Discharge Petition.

A Discharge Petition requires 218 House Members to sign on, which then forces a vote on the specific bill on the House floor. On the first day the Born Alive Discharge Petition was introduced in the House, I was the 26th of 198 members to sign on. We only need 20 more to secure a vote to protect babies born alive during an abortion procedure.

We must continue every effort to protect the unborn at every stage using every tool available. I will always speak up as a voice for the unborn and the sanctity of life.

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