U.S. House of Representatives Passes Pro-Life Bills and is Poised to Continue Advancing Pro-Life Measures

This week pro-life lawmakers in Washington, D.C., took a stand for life and passed legislation that advances the pro-life cause in America.

On Wednesday, the House approved two measures—a resolution condemning the violent attacks on pregnancy resource centers and a bill requiring medical care be given to infants born alive after an attempted abortion.

Resolution Condemning Attacks on Pro-Life Entities

The first measure, House Concurrent Resolution (H.Con.Res.) 3, expresses the condemnation of Congress regarding the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches. It cites 35 separate acts of violence against pro-life entities across the nation.

H.Con.Res. 3 also “recognizes the sanctity of life” and the critical work pro-life entities do in assisting women and families.

Finally, the resolution urges the federal government to use its law enforcement powers to protect public safety and pro-life facilities, groups and churches.

H.Con.Res.3 passed by a slim margin of 222 – 209. There were three Democrats who voted in favor of the measure, along with the entirety of the Republican House caucus.

In the last session of Congress, pro-life pregnancy resource centers were repeatedly and unfairly targeted by anti-life advocates and lawmakers who introduced legislation besmirching the important work of these centers to help pregnant mothers, babies and families in need.

If abortion advocates were genuinely pro-choice, they would have no problem with pregnancy resource centers that offer alternatives to abortion. Their actions then and now demonstrate that the abortion lobby doesn’t stand for “choice” or “informed consent.” They want pregnant women scared, lonely and desperate because it’s better for the abortion industry.

Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

The second bill passed by the House was H.R. 26, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. It would do exactly what the title says, protect infants that survive an attempted abortion.

Practically speaking, H.R. 26 would require the doctor to provide medical care to infants who are born alive during an abortion.

The legislation declares, “If an abortion results in the live birth of an infant, the infant is a legal person for all purposes under the laws of the United States, and entitled to all the protections of such laws,” and must be treated as a patient.

The language is clear. An infant born alive during an abortion should immediately be transferred and admitted to a hospital, and every effort should be made to preserve that child’s life.

The bill also clarifies that any efforts made to kill an infant born alive should be considered “intentionally killing or attempting to kill a human being.”

Disturbingly, this measure received even less support than the resolution condemning violence against pro-life entities. The final vote tally was 220 – 210, with one member voting “present.”

Both of these measures now move to the Senate for further action. Since the U.S. Senate is controlled by anti-life lawmakers, it is unlikely the measures will be brought up for consideration.

But whether or not action is taken by the Senate, pro-life lawmakers must continue advancing pro-life measures whenever they can.

Engaging in debate and promoting pro-life policies is one of the ways that culture is influenced for life.

Timely consideration of life-affirming measures was part of the deal struck amongst Republicans in the debate over who would be Speaker of the House. Assurances were included in the Rules Committee package that pro-life measures would have a priority.

At the start of this new legislative session, Focus on the Family joined a letter with other pro-life organizations, urging lawmakers to advance life-affirming measures, including

1. Heartbeat Protection Act
2. Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
3. Protecting Individuals With Down Syndrome Act
4. SAVE Moms and Babies Act
5. No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act, Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act
6. Conscience Protection Act

We thank God that pro-life lawmakers are making a stand for life in the halls of Congress! And we continue to pray that hearts and minds would be moved toward embracing the sanctity of human life beginning in the womb.

Photo from Shutterstock.