By Dave Andrusko
To no one’s surprise, the Democrats—virtually uniformly—voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 29) which nonetheless passed by a vote of 220-210. All Republicans voted in favor and all but one Democrat opposed the measure. One Democrat voted present.
Actually, the Democrats acted even more outrageously on Wednesday. Rep. Diana Degette (D-Co.) offered a motion to recommit following debate. The motion to recommit would have amended the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to include the radical “Women’s Health Protection Act.” The motion failed by a party line vote 212-219.
A couple of thoughts.
Abortion, by its very nature, is one endless story of brutality, viciousness, and moral myopia. However, allowing babies who survived the abortionist’s best efforts to kill them to perish without doing a thing to save their lives takes this behavior to a new level of savagery.
And hypocrisy, which Nancy Flanders highlighted in her story:
Two pro-abortion reps in particular voiced alleged concerns that providing medical care to a struggling abortion survivor could endanger the babies’ lives.
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) said “The problem with this bill is that it endangers some infants by stating that that infant must immediately be brought to the hospital. It directs and mandates certain medical care that may not be appropriate.” However, Nadler did not attempt to explain or expound upon his remarks.
Likewise, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) claimed that taking the child to the hospital after treatment could be harmful. The legislation “requires immediately taking a struggling baby to a hospital. That hospital could be hours away and could be detrimental to the life of that baby,” she said.
Then she quickly pivoted: “This is nothing more than part of the effort to make abortion illegal nationally in this country.”
This speaks volumes about pro-abortionists’ unwillingness to be honest—even occasionally—about anything and their willingness –eagerness, really–to allow defenseless children who survive an abortion to die unattended.
It’s what they do, it’s who they are.
Here is pro-life Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s statement after the House of Representatives adopted Rep. Mike Johnson’s (LA-04) concurrent resolution that would condemn attacks on pro-life organizations and passed Rep. Ann Wagner’s (MO-02) Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act:
House Republicans have been committed to advancing legislation that protects the lives of the unborn and their mothers. In the very first week, we kept that commitment because strong families are the essence of American life. And in the face of a growing movement to devalue the miracle of life, we must also protect every American fighting for life – including those at pro-life pregnancy centers and churches from violence and threats. We will continue to prioritize the defense of life and all individuals from violence and intimidation.
As Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee, said, “The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is reasonable legislation that would protect a baby born alive following an abortion.” She added, “We thank House pro-life leaders Speaker McCarthy, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Rep. Kat Cammack for their leadership on this issue and Rep. Ann Wagner for sponsoring this bill.”