H.R. 784 & S.3275 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
H.R. 784 & S.3275 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
This bill establishes a new criminal offense for performing or attempting to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more.
A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.
The bill provides exceptions for an abortion (1) that is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. A physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion under an exception must comply with specified requirements.
A woman who undergoes a prohibited abortion may not be prosecuted for violating or conspiring to violate the provisions of this bill.
In favor of H.R.36 & S.3275
Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ)
"More than 18,000 'very late term' abortions are performed every year on perfectly healthy unborn babies in America. These are innocent and defenseless children who can not only feel pain, but who can survive outside of the womb in most cases, and who are torturously killed without even basic anesthesia. Many of them cry and scream as they die, but because it is amniotic fluid going over their vocal cords instead of air, we don't hear them.
"Late term Abortion in America has its defenders, but no true or principled defense. The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act seeks to afford basic protection to mothers and their unborn children entering the sixth month of gestation.
"I would just deeply encourage all interested parties, including fair-minded reporters, to simply read this bill. It is one all humane Americans can support if they understand it for themselves.
"Throughout America's history, the hearts of the American people have been moved with compassion when they discover a theretofore hidden class of victims, once they grasp both the humanity of the victims and the inhumanity of what is being done to them.
"America is on the cusp of another such realization."
Opposed to H.R.784 & S.3275
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)
"This bill is a direct challenge to the Supreme Court’s ruling 42 years ago in Roe v. Wade, and it is a dangerous attack on a woman’s constitutional right to choose.
“The bill does not include an exception for the physical or emotional health of the woman; it fails to provide sufficient protections for victims of rape and incest; and it has only a very narrow exception when a woman’s life is in danger.
“In short, the bill significantly reduces the safe, legal options that women have and prevents doctors from providing the most medically appropriate care for their patients.
“Republicans have repeatedly demonstrated a disregard for women’s healthcare, and this bill is just one more example of their continuing attack on women’s rights.
“It is a step backward for women’s health and quite simply a dangerous distraction from the critical work that we should be doing.
“I urge my colleagues to oppose this harmful and unconstitutional legislation.”
