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Sanctifying life at all stages |
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January 20, 2018 |
By U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador
Since abortion was legalized across America,
almost 60 million babies have been denied the
most fundamental of all human rights – the right
to life. Millions of Americans, however, refuse
to surrender to the status quo and continue to
raise their voices to speak for those who can’t
speak for themselves.
This weekend thousands gathered across the
country to remind their fellow citizens that
every child is a gift from God and deserves to
live.
In Washington, D.C., the 45th annual March for
Life began Friday with a rally near the
Washington Monument. Participants in the largest
pro-life event in the world then marched up
Capitol Hill to the Supreme Court, where the Roe
v. Wade decision was issued in January 1973.
Pro-life Idahoans marked the ignominious
anniversary today at the Capitol in Boise. With
song, speeches and prayer, the crowds affirmed
the sanctity of life.
President Trump was the first sitting U.S.
president to address the March for Life from the
White House on a live satellite feed. That’s
appropriate, as the President’s leadership has
helped make the past year an encouraging one for
defenders of the right to life.
The House also passed important pro-life
legislation Friday, the Born-Alive Abortion
Survivors Protection Act. The bill, which I
cosponsored and proudly voted for, requires that
a baby who survives a failed abortion attempt
will receive the same medical care as any other
newborn.
Violators would be subject to up to five years
in prison if a baby is left to die. If an overt
act is taken to kill the child, the crime could
be charged as first-degree murder.
It’s impossible for me to imagine anyone
refusing to provide medical care in such a case,
or acting to take such a vulnerable life. But
sadly, it happens. Dr. Kermit Gosnell is serving
a life sentence after a jury convicted him of
three counts of murder in 2013 for killing
children who survived abortions in Philadelphia.
Gosnell’s conduct shocked the country and I
believe it’s important to make it a federal
crime to refuse proper medical care to an
abortion survivor. This is another step in the
long and steady march to end abortion.
Our success over the last year began immediately
after President Trump took office.
On January 24, the first full business day of
his presidency, the President proved his heart
is with the unborn. He signed an executive order
reinstituting the “Mexico City” policy. That
action prohibits foreign nongovernmental
organizations from receiving federal funding if
they perform or promote abortion services.
The policy was instituted in 1984 by President
Reagan. President Obama rescinded the rule in
2009.
In addition to Friday’s vote to save the lives
of abortion survivors, we’ve had two more
significant wins in the House in the last 12
months. The day after the President signed his
executive order, the House passed the No
Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, establishing
a uniform policy against taxpayer funding of
abortions in all government programs.
In October the House by passed the Pain-Capable
Unborn Child Protection Act, prohibiting
abortions 20 weeks after conception.
We continue our work on other legislation,
including two bills I am cosponsoring. The Life
at Conception Act declares that the right to
life is guaranteed by the Constitution and
vested in each human being at all stages of
life. The Conscience Protection Act bars
discrimination or penalties for health care
providers refusing to be involved in, or provide
coverage for, abortion.
It is heartbreaking that America has permitted
nearly 60 million abortions since Roe v. Wade.
But those of us in the pro-life movement haven’t
lost faith.
We will never surrender in the fight to promote
a culture of life. |
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