U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Friday voted for H.R. 4712, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would require health care practitioners to provide the same level of medical care to a child born alive after a failed abortion attempt as they would to a child born any other way.
“Each and every life is precious and deserves protection,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “Hundreds of thousands of our fellow Americans are marching on the nation’s capital today to celebrate the sanctity of life. Such compassion and dedication to a worthy cause give us hope that through service and action we can foster a culture of life. Today the House acted to protect the most vulnerable among us by passing a bill that simply says a baby born after a failed abortion attempt should get the same care as a baby born any other way.”
BACKGROUND
The House passed H.R. 4712 by a vote of 241 to 183. The bill would ensure that any child born alive during an abortion procedure receives the same degree of professional care to save the life of the child that any other child born alive at the same gestational age would receive. The mother of a child born alive would be protected from prosecution. The bill would establish criminal penalties for those who harm babies born alive, allow them to die, or attempt to harvest body parts.
Earlier this week, Walorski spoke on the House floor about the March for Life and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Video of her remarks is available here. The full text is below.
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate life. To stand for the idea that every human life is a gift from God. And to join my colleagues in renewing our commitment to defend the inherent dignity of every person, born or unborn.
“This week, we will vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which says that a baby born after a failed abortion attempt should be given the same medical care as a baby born any other way.
“The same day, hundreds of thousands of our fellow Americans will march on the nation’s capital to celebrate the sanctity of life. Those who march for life come from every corner of the nation to be voices for the voiceless and to defend the most vulnerable among us. Such compassion and dedication to this worthy cause give us hope that through service and action we can foster a culture of life.
“Mr. Speaker, each and every life is precious. That’s why we must continue to be tireless in our work to defend the sanctity of life and protect the unborn. Thank you, and I yield back.”
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
