by Mary Margaret Olohan
Republican lawmakers have unleashed a wave of pro-life bills into the Democrat-controlled Congress this week.
The flood of pro-life legislation occurred the same week that President Joe Biden enacted policy allowing taxpayer dollars to fund abortions abroad. Days earlier, Biden marked the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade by promising to both appoint judges who respect the ruling as precedent Friday and to codify Roe v. Wade.
He also directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Thursday to review the Title X family planning regulations. The new president is expected to reverse former President Donald Trump’s “Protect Life Rule,” which prohibited Title X Family Planning Program funds from going to organizations that perform or promote abortions.
The proposed Republican bills, which are unlikely to pass the Democrat-controlled Congress, were introduced same week that the 48th Annual March for Life was scheduled to take place. The march will take place virtually due to security and health concerns.
Democrats currently hold control of the House with a 222-211 edge — the narrowest margin since the 1940s.
Teleabortion Prevention Act And Child Custody Protection Act
Republican Texas Rep. Ron Wright reintroduced the Teleabortion Prevention Act Friday morning, according to a press release from Wright’s office. The legislation seeks to make it a federal offense for healthcare providers to perform chemical abortions without examining the mother first. The provider would also be required to be present during the chemical abortion and schedule the patient’s follow-up visit under the bill, according to Wright’s office.
Wright also reintroduced the Child Custody Protection Act, which would criminalize the transportation of young women who are minors across state lines in order to “circumvent a state law requiring parental involvement in that minor’s abortion,” the congressman’s office said in a press release.
“With the Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats already gunning to roll back abortion restrictions, it’s more important than ever that we continue to be a strong voice for the voiceless,” Wright said in a statement. “Both these bills help prevent the destruction of unborn life, safeguard women’s health, and protect the conscience rights of millions of Americans. The sanctity of life has been my top priority and an issue I will continue to devote my life protecting.”
Second Chance at Life Act
Republican Colorado Rep. Doug Lamborn introduced the Second Chance at Life Act Thursday, which would require abortion clinics to provide information on the reverse side effects of chemical abortions to women who wish to obtain that type of abortion. The legislation would also require abortion providers to let the woman know that the chemical abortion, a two-drug procedure, can be reversed even after the first drug is administered.
Abortion advocates have disputed this claim.
“The Second Chance at Life Act provides hope for babies whose mothers deserve the opportunity to make a fully informed decision on any abortion,” Lamborn said in a statement. “Chemical abortions can be reversed with zero harm to the child if the pregnant mother develops second thoughts midway through the abortion process.”
SAVE Moms and Babies Act
Republican Ohio Rep. Bob Latta introduced both the Support and Value Expectant (SAVE) Moms and Babies Act and the Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act on Thursday, according to a press release from the congressman’s office.
The SAVE Moms and Babies Act would fight the removal of the FDA approved Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) currently in place on abortion drugs and prevent providers from “dispensing” the drugs remotely. The Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act would criminalize disposing aborted body parts in landfills or in any navigable U.S. waters.
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Republican Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse reintroduced the Born–Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act Thursday, legislation he originally introduced in 2015. He also reintroduced the legislation in 2019 after Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam suggested that a mother and doctor can decide, after a baby is born, to let the baby die.
The legislation requires that doctors exercise the same degree of professional care to protect a newborn baby delivered alive through a failed abortion. It also requires that the baby be transported to a hospital after it has been given proper care.
“Every baby deserves a fighting chance, whether she’s born in a state-of-the-art hospital or an abortion clinic in a strip mall,” Sasse said in a statement. “A decent society can’t turn its back on these babies because compassion, truth, and love still matter.”
“A week ago, President Biden stood on the Capitol steps and said ‘with unity we can do great things. Important things. We can right wrongs.’ Well, here’s a chance to do just that,” Sasse said.
Dignity For Aborted Children Act
Republican Indiana Reps. Jackie Walorski and Jim Banks reintroduced the Dignity for Aborted Children Act Thursday. The legislation would ensure that the remains of aborted babies be treated dignity and would hold abortion providers accountable if they did not properly bury or cremate fetal remains.
The lawmakers first introduced the legislation in 2019 after family members discovered a collection of 2,246 medically preserved fetal remains in the Illinois home of the late Dr. Ulrich George Klopfer.
Klopfer ran three different Indiana abortion clinics during his lifetime and performed over 30,000 abortions since he began operating in 1974.
“While the Supreme Court upheld Indiana’s law mandating the respectful treatment of abortion victims, that won’t stop abortionists like Dr. Klopfer from committing these unspeakably horrific acts in other states,” Banks said in a statement.
Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham reintroduced the Pain Capable Unborn Child Act Wednesday, legislation that would ban abortions after 20 weeks except in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother’s health is at risk. Graham has introduced this legislation the last four congresses.
“I am proud to once again introduce the Pain–Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,” the senator said in a statement. “There are only seven countries that allow wholesale abortions at the 20-week period, including China and North Korea. The United States should not be in that club.”
“I don’t believe abortion, five months into pregnancy, makes us a better nation,” Graham said. “America is at her best when she’s standing up for the least among us, and the sooner we pass this legislation into law, the better. We are on the right side of history.”
Banks Attempts To Block Biden From Undoing Trump’s Protect Life Rule, Protect Hyde
“Conservative Republicans are sending a strong statement to congressional leaders: We will not stand idle as radical Democrats work to end the ban on taxpayer-funded abortions,” Banks told the DCNF earlier this week. “I pray this show of solidarity will save the Hyde Amendment and save thousands of innocent lives.”
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Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.
“Pro-Life Supports and Planned Parenthood Supporters” by jordanujl17. CC BY 2.0.
