Easing the Pain

By Tony PerkinsFamily Research Council

Yesterday, I mentioned efforts to repeal the President's signature legislation, Obamacare, and how doing so would protect you from paying for abortion. As early as tomorrow, the House Judiciary Committee led by Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) will mark up another pro-life bill that shifts efforts from defense to offense. The "District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act", H.R. 3803, is supported by 210 cosponsors, including pro-life Democrats like Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) because it would ban the gruesome practice of late term abortion in the District. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress authority over all District laws and since the city Council removed all abortion restrictions it is up to Congress to protect the unborn.

Scientists have shown that unborn children as early as 20 weeks after conception can feel pain because their pain receptors are developed. Doctors performing prenatal surgery routinely give unborn babies anesthesia. Dr. Colleen Malloy from Northwestern University testified in May 2012 that " I firmly believe, as the evidence shows, that the fetal pain experience is no less than the neonatal or adult pain experience." The majority of Americans are, by far, in favor of restricting abortion to the first trimester. Rep. Franks' bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks since we know that late term abortion can cause severe pain for the unborn child.

We need at least 218 cosponsors to show House Leadership a majority supports this bill and should bring it to the floor for a vote. Call your Representative to make sure they are a cosponsor.