Nearly All House Democrats Vote No on Bill to Provide Medical Care to Babies That Survive Abortion

(CNSNews.com) — On Wednesday, every House Democrat (210) except for two members voted against legislation that would require medical professionals to provide immediate care and hospitalization to a baby that survives an abortion. The surviving child would have to be treated like any other human being but the Democrats voted “nay,” claiming the bill was a violation of reproductive freedom.

In the cases where babies survive an abortion, they frequently are left on a table to die, CNSNews.com has reported.  

The legislation, House Bill 26, was sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.). A summary of the bill states that if a child is born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion, the health care professional must treat that child medically, like any other baby, and ensure that he is admitted to a hospital. 

Also, “An individual who intentionally kills or attempts to kill a child born alive is subject to prosecution for murder.” The mother cannot be prosecuted and she is allowed to take civil action against the health care practitioner.

“The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act will provide commonsense protections for innocent children and their mothers and will ensure all babies receive the essential care they need at an incredibly vulnerable moment,” said Rep. Wagner.  “It pains me that this fight has to be fought at all, but medical care for babies should not be a partisan issue.”

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The legislation passed on Jan. 11 and the vote was 220 to 210. Politically, 219 Republicans and one Democrat voted for the bill while 210 Democrats voted against the bill. (One Democrat voted present and three Republicans did not vote.) 

Some of the House Democrats who voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act were Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), Jerry Nadler (N.Y.), Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), Ted Lieu (Calif.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Ilahn Omar (Minn.), and Ayanna Pressly (Mass.). 

Commenting on the bill, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the former Speaker of the House, said on Twitter, “Today, instead of joining Democrats to condemn all political violence, @HouseGOP chose to push their extreme anti-choice agenda.

“Democrats believe everyone deserves the freedom to access reproductive health services – without fear of violence, intimidation or harassment.”

In a floor speech before the vote, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) said, “The problem with this bill is that it endangers some infants [born alive] by stating that that infant must immediately be brought to the hospital. Under the circumstances, that may be the right thing to do for the health and survival of that infant or it may not. That is the problem with this bill.” 

Prior to the vote, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) said on Twitter, “Tonight we are voting on the Born Alive Act. It is utterly non-controversial to every normal person, but a hard NO from nearly every Democrat in Congress. That’s crazy. The Democrats are far too extreme on this issue and NOT in line with the American people. At all.”

Commenting on the legislation, SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said, “Today’s votes affirmed these facts: Babies who survive abortions deserve the same standard of care as any newborn of the same gestational age.”

Dr. Christina Francis, CEO-elect of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said, “We celebrate today’s long-overdue House passage of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to protect babies who survive attempted abortions. As the largest organization of pro-life obstetricians and gynecologists in the United States, we always care for two patients in the delivery room: mother and baby. It is our duty as physicians to provide both of them optimal care.”

“We cannot discriminate against care based on the circumstances or location of a child’s birth,” said Dr. Francis. “When a baby is born — that baby deserves age-appropriate medical attention and care, without exception. The Born-Alive bill that passed today will ensure that happens.”

“Thank you, House leadership, for acknowledging the reality of abortion survivors and for fighting for their medical care,” she added. “AAPLOG looks forward to the Senate now taking on and passing this measure — because caring for babies born alive should not be a partisan issue.” 

“CatholicVote applauds House Republicans for standing up in defense of the victims of abortion and abortion-related violence with today’s vote on the Born Alive Act,” said CatholicVote President Brian Burch.

“Every elected official has an obligation to stand up for babies, moms, and the heroes who daily work to support them, by voting in favor of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and the House resolution condemning violent attacks against pro-life organizations,” he added.

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