Senate Democrats have struck down a bill that would have rendered it illegal for physicians to refuse medical care to babies who survive abortions. While the Senate voted 53 to 44 in favor of the measure, they didn’t reach the 60 vote threshold necessary to pass it.
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would have necessitated that “any health care practitioner present” when a baby is born “exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.”
The measure would have also required doctors to “ensure that the child born alive is immediately transported and admitted to a hospital.” If the bill had passed, practitioners could have faced up to five years of jail time for violations. This doesn’t include the penalties for first-degree murder that could have been added. The mother involved in the birth would have been exempted from prosecution.
The only three Democrats who joined Republicans to support the measure were Doug Jones of Alabama, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania. The bill’s failure to pass incited outrage among the GOP, including President Donald J. Trump.
Expressing his frustration on Twitter, the President said, “Senate Democrats just voted against legislation to prevent the killing of newborn infant children. The Democrat position on abortion is now so extreme that they don’t mind executing babies AFTER birth….”
Trump also stated, “….This will be remembered as one of the most shocking votes in the history of Congress. If there is one thing we should all agree on, it’s protecting the lives of innocent babies.”
Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse, a Republican, was the chief sponsor of the measure. After the defeat of his bill, Sasse spoke to Fox News’ Martha MacCallum on “The Story.” The Nebraska Senator revealed that he was “surprised” at every vote against the measure. He contended that opponents of it lied “constantly” with “blatant nonsense” about the bill. Reportedly, pro-choice advocates went so far as to claim the measure “would end abortion” altogether.
“This is about the most simple thing you can say, which is that a baby is a baby, and they have dignity and worth,” he said. “And it’s not because they’re powerful. It’s because they’re babies. Today is a sad day in the United States Senate…This shouldn’t be about politics. This should be about having heart.”
Outraged, some pro-life advocates maintained the 44 senators who voted against the legislation should resign immediately. In a statement, Jeanne Mancini, March for Life President, stated, “Senators who could not bring themselves to vote to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act should reconsider whether or not they have what it takes to serve.”
She went on to add, “Senator Sasse’s common sense bill would merely require doctors assist a newborn struggling to survive after a failed attempt on her life. Anyone who lacks the basic level of human compassion needed to vote in favor of this should quickly find another job. We look forward to a vote in the House of Representatives so that Chamber can get on record as well.”
The Senate unanimously passed a bill similar to Sasse’s in 2002. The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act was signed into law by former President George W. Bush. Earlier this month, the Nebraska Senator attempted to pass the new measure by unanimous consent too. However, his efforts were blocked when Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington state, objected to it. She labeled the legislation unnecessary and a political stunt.
Sasse introduced the measure after embattled Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, Democrat, affirmed post-birth abortions while talking about The Repeal Act, state legislation that set out to repeal restrictions on third-trimester abortions. Northam went on to make outrageous comments regarding The Repeal Act during an interview with a radio station. He said in part, “So, in this particular example, if a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother.”
If this is the official Democratic stance on abortion, it may just be a winning issue for Republicans going forward. Obviously, the biggest losers here are babies who survive the barbaric procedure.
~ Liberty Planet
