After weeks of House Republicans being stonewalled by Democrats over the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would protect babies born alive after a failed abortion, pro-life Republicans are taking a different approach. On April 2, Rep. Scalise filed a discharge petition for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. In order to move forward, the petition will have to gather 218 signatures before it can be put before the House floor for a vote. 

It’ll be a tough fight.

Since Democrats have regained control of the House, the ability to pass any pro-life or abortion survivor legislation has become more difficult – especially since many pro-abortion politicians argue that no baby survives an abortion. But Melissa Ohden and Claire Culwell know that’s not true. As abortion survivors themselves, they know all too well the price that babies pay when they are not protected after an abortion. 

As a baby in utero, Melissa’s body was exposed to a toxic saline solution that was meant to scald and burn her body and take her life before she was even born, but miraculously she survived. If it was not for a nurse who noticed her tiny form gasping for breath, Melissa might not be alive today.

Claire actually survived two different abortion attempts. After undergoing an initial abortion, Clair’s mother and her doctor discovered that she was actually carrying twins and only one child had been aborted. Wanting to finish the abortion, Claire’s mother traveled to see a doctor in another state. She was unable to have that second abortion because the risk of infection was too high, and Claire was born two weeks later. 

Both women were adopted as infants into loving, Christian families, and now they want to fight for the rights of babies like themselves.

“They are ignoring our existence,” Claire said. “It has been shocking and even offensive to me as a woman because this bill that would protect babies that survive abortions, like me, (but instead it’s being superseded by a woman’s right to choose). When in actuality, we are women that have survived abortions, and our choice and our voice is not being heard. It’s really telling where our country is right now.” 

Earlier this year, Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) presented the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act in the Senate. It also failed to pass, and Melissa was there as certain politicians made the decision that babies like her were not worthy of protection.

“I was literally standing outside of the Senate when it failed to pass,” Melissa said. “I had my medical records in my hand ready to share with even those Democrats who don’t want to acknowledge us.”

Both Melissa and Claire were also there as Scalise presented the discharge petition to the House of Representatives. Currently, the number of Representatives who have signed the petition to protect the lives of babies like Melissa and Claire stands at 197. Hopefully, Rep. Scalise and his supporters will get to the 218 signatures that they need to make sure that the House of Representatives has the opportunity to bring this historic and important bill up for a vote.

If you want to make a stand for life, even when some politicians won’t, consider signing the Declaration for Life. On May 4, Focus on the Family will hold the “Alive from New York” event where a live 4D ultrasound will be broadcast in Times Square New York.

Starting on April 9, the Focus on the Family Daily Broadcast will air an interview with Claire and Melissa.