Lankford, Banks Lead Bill to Protect Babies Born After Botched Abortions from Infanticide

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to protect newborns that survive abortions by requiring they receive care from health care practitioners.

"No child should be denied medical care simply because they are 'unwanted.' Today, if an abortion procedure fails and a child is born alive, doctors can just ignore the crying baby on the table and watch them slowly die of neglect. That's not an abortion, that's infanticide," said Lankford.

In 2002, Congress passed the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act which codified in law that a newborn, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, is to be legally recognized as a person from the moment of birth if he or she show any sign of life. The 2002 law did not provide any measures to enforce the protection of these infants, which has allowed the current practice of leaving a child to die after a botched abortion to continue. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act adds clear expectations of care, hospital transfer requirements, mandatory reporting, private rights of action for moms, and reasonable criminal penalties for health care professionals who violate the law.

The legislation was cosponsored by Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Risch (R-ID), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Katie Britt (R-AL), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Roger Wicker, R-MS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ted Budd (R-NC), Tim Scott (R-SC), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Curtis (R-UT), Todd Young (R-IN), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Kennedy (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Steve Daines (R-MT), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Mike Lee (R-UT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Dave McCormick (R-PA).

March for Life Action, AAPLOG Action, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Concerned Women for America LAC, National Right to Life, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Live Action, Americans United for Life, Family Research Council, Students for Life Action, Alliance Defending Freedom, US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Heritage Action, Family Policy Alliance, Human Coalition, Liberty Council Action, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Christian Employers Alliance, Advancing American Freedom, Focus on the Family, First Rights Global, AdvanceUSA, Coalition for Jewish Values, National Association of Evangelicals, Eagle Forum, Christian Legal Society, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, Faith and Freedom Coalition, Christ Medicus Foundation, Christians Engaged, Children's AIDS Funds International, and Capability Consulting endorsed this legislation.

"I've always fought to defend the unborn and will continue to do so in the Senate. It's unconscionable that we even need such a law, but it's essential to protect the most vulnerable among us. Now that Republicans have control of both chambers of Congress and the most pro-life President in my lifetime, we have the opportunity to see this important bill signed into law," said Banks.

"Babies who are born alive after an attempted abortion deserve the same protection and medical care that would be afforded to any other newborn," said Thune. "This commonsense bill is a basic standard of decency, and there's no reason why it shouldn't receive overwhelming bipartisan support."

"Every baby born alive, no matter the circumstances of their birth, deserves the appropriate medical care necessary for a fighting chance to live. This measure is a critical step in ensuring these vulnerable infants are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, and I fully support this life-affirming legislation," said Hyde-Smith.

"The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act ensures that every child that survives an attempted abortion receives the proper medical care and attention from healthcare professionals. Allowing a child to suffer and die on a medical table without interventions is not who we are as Americans. I will keep fighting for a child's right to life," said Risch.

"Every single life is worthy of protection, especially the unborn," said Lummis. "There is nothing controversial about providing life-saving medical aid to infants who survive abortions, and I am partnering with my colleagues to protect every abortion survivor's right to life."

"The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is a commonsense bill that would protect the most vulnerable babies. I will continue to be a voice for the voiceless, fight to defend life, and support mothers and families across our nation," said Britt.

"Protecting children who are born alive because of a failed abortion should not be up for debate," said Blackburn. "These innocent babies deserve the highest quality of care, and our legislation would stand up for these infants who cannot stand up for themselves."

"The Born Alive Infants Protection Act affirms a fundamental commitment to the sanctity of life by ensuring that any infant born alive, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, is afforded the same rights, protections and medical care as any other human being. This legislation underscores our shared humanity and our responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us," said Crapo.

"All babies - born and unborn - deserve the same standard of care and compassion. That ought to be non-negotiable. I'll never stop standing up for the most vulnerable and fighting to protect the miracle of life," said Grassley.

"This legislation would require health care practitioners to provide the same care for a child born alive following an abortion attempt, as they would to any infant born at the same gestational age. We have a responsibility to protect those who are most vulnerable and ensure they are cared for with dignity and respect," said Hoeven. "Each life is a blessing, and I will continue fighting to protect the sanctity of life."

"Life is a precious gift from God. This bill makes sure that children who survive abortions receive the medical care they deserve as human beings. I am proud to support it and will continue to work with my colleagues to save as many unborn lives as possible," said Budd.

In this post-Roe, pro-life environment, we need to make sure that we are doing all that we can to protect the sanctity of life. The Born Alive Abortion Survivor Protection Act takes critical steps to protect and preserve some of our country's most vulnerable," said Tim Scott. "Creating a culture of life is what is needed as we move forward! I am grateful to Senator Lankford for his leadership and his efforts to steward that culture!"

"As parents to four young kids, my wife and I are proudly pro-life and believe we have a duty to protect the most vulnerable in our society," said Sheehy. "Caring for and protecting innocent babies who are born alive after a botched abortion should not be a partisan issue - it's common sense and common humanity. I'm proud to join my colleagues in doing the right thing and standing for life."

"I will always fight to protect the sanctity of life. The barbaric practice of murdering babies after they are born has no place in America. This is not about Republican or Democrat; this is about right and wrong. I'm glad to partner with my Republican colleagues to end the practice of terminating the lives of babies who are born alive and stand up for the most vulnerable among us," said Tuberville.

"When an infant clings to life after an abortion procedure, doctors have a duty to care for that child. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act would protect these defenseless boys and girls. There's no reason Congress should delay in sending it to the president's desk," said Kennedy.

"Our Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Actwill give babies who miraculously survive attempted abortions the chance to live the life that they deserve," said Young. "I find it disturbing that Democrats have blocked this life-saving bill previously, and encourage my colleagues to pass this commonsense legislation."

"The measure of a civilization is how it treats its most vulnerable members. There are few Americans more vulnerable and deserving of protection than a child who is born surviving an abortion attempt. We must recognize the humanity of these precious children and make every effort to save their lives," said Lee.

"It is tragic that we need to pass legislation to affirm and protect the life of babies who survive abortions," said Moran. "Every child who survives an abortion should be provided the same level of care as any other child born alive at the same gestational age."

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