Last year, when late-term abortionist Kermit Gosnell was convicted of murder for severing the spines of infants and butchering women in his so-called “clinic” in Philadelphia, the U.S. House of Representatives responded by passing the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This common-sense bill protects an unborn child from abortion after 20 weeks gestation, the time at which it has been established that the child can feel pain. The House vote of 228 to 196 elicited a veto threat from the White House.
Last week, corresponding with the anniversary of Kermit Gosnell’s conviction, pro-life leaders called for a Senate vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S. 1670), authored by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The vote on this bill has been blocked repeatedly by Senate leadership under the direction of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada). The bill has already been cosponsored by 41 Republican senators. According to National Right to Life News, on May 7th, 33 Republican senators, led by Senators Kelly Ayotte (NH), Senator Graham, and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, released a letter urging Reid to allow the Senate to vote on the measure.
Currently, pro-life leaders are looking for additional Senators to co-sponsor this legislation to bring increased pressure to bear on its passage. The following Senators are being specifically asked to co-sponsor the legislation:
- Dean Heller (R-NV)
- Mark Kirk (R-IL)
- Susan Collins (R-ME)
- Robert Casey (D-PA)
- Joe Manchin III (D-WV)
- Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
- Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
ACTION ITEM: Contact your Senators and urge them to co-sponsor the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S. 1670) to protect the unborn.