For immediate release: Thursday, February 14, 2019
For more information: NRLC Communications
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Sen. McConnell schedules Senate vote on
Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

WASHINGTON – The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) today thanked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for scheduling a Senate vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (S. 311). A vote on the bill, which is being sponsored by Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), is expected on February 25, 2019. If enacted, the bill would extend federal legal protection to babies who are born alive during an abortion.

"Pro-abortion Democrats who vote against this bill should be forced to explain why they are against giving a born-alive infant life-saving care," said Jennifer Popik, J.D., legislative director of National Right to Life. "Pro-abortion Democrats should be forced to explain why their allegiance to the abortion industry agenda should allow a practice that is tantamount to infanticide."

The call for Senate action comes after the New York legislature recently passed, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed, the so-called "Reproductive Health Act." Among other provisions, the law repealed protections for infants born alive during an attempted abortion. Previously, New York law stipulated that a second physician be present to care for a child 20 weeks or older born alive during an abortion. Cuomo was an enthusiastic supporter of the bill.

The Senate vote also follows Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) wading into the debate over a similar measure in the Commonwealth. In a radio interview Northam indicated that, in his view, an infant born alive during an attempted abortion wouldn't necessarily be entitled to immediate treatment.

"The extreme pro-abortion agenda has been laid bare for all to see, thanks to the governors of New York and Virginia: they believe it should be legal to kill pain-capable unborn babies, for absolutely any reason, at any time up to and including the moment of their birth, and even in the moments after they are born,” Popik added. “We thank Sen. Sasse for his tireless effort to advance this critical legislation, and we thank Sen. McConnell for his leadership in bringing this issue before the Senate.”

Founded in 1968, National Right to Life, the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters, is the nation's oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement, NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

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