On Friday the Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed the Women’s Health Protection Act, intended to block pro-life state laws. The pro-abortion legislation would allow doctors to kill the unborn baby all the way through the ninth month of pregnancy.
The bills are unlikely to move in the evenly divided Senate, where Democrats would need at least 10 Republican votes to advance any legislation.
The House voted 219 to 210, with one Democrat, Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, joining all Republicans in opposition.
Congressman Jerry Carl (R-AL01) voted against the pro-abortion bill,
“Despite the fact 80% of Americans agree abortion should be illegal in the third trimester, Democrats are working around the clock to push for abortions at any stage of pregnancy without any limits,” Carl said. “This law, which would put us in line with countries like China and North Korea, would also prohibit states from creating pro-life laws to protect women and unborn children from harm.
“I voted against the Democrats’ radical bill to legalize abortion for all nine months of pregnancy because I believe every life – whether born or unborn – is worth fighting for, and I believe we as a society have a fundamental duty to protect life."
The Democratic bills would codify the right to an abortion up until the moment of birth and subvert the power of states to set their own abortion laws.
“Today, Democrats brought two extreme and inhumane bills to the floor that would legalize abortion up until the moment of birth across the country,” said Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL02). “These bills are meant to trample on the Dobbs decision, which affirmed that there is no constitutional right to abortion and sent the power to determine abortion laws back to the states. Democrats’ unconstitutional and barbaric legislation demonstrates how radical the pro-abortion movement has become and would end thousands of innocent lives if signed into law. I will continue fighting to protect the unborn and standing against the extreme life-killing policies coming out of Washington. We must stop attacks on the sanctity of life at all costs.”
Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) voted for the abortion bill which would strip the states of the power to limit or regulate abortions.
“The Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade was devastating, reversing nearly 50 years of legal precedent and stripping away a woman’s right to make her own personal health care decisions,” said Sewell. “This ruling will put women’s lives on the line, especially here in Alabama where women die of pregnancy-related complications at one of the highest rates in the nation. I believe that a woman’s deeply personal health care decisions should be made by her and her doctor, not her politicians.”
The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate where it would need the elimination of the filibuster for it pass without significant Republican support. Pro-abortion interests are pressuring U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) to vote with his party to lift the filibuster rule that requires 60 votes to consider a piece of legislation.
A second bill, the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act, passed as well. This bill would provide legal protection for women who cross state lines to obtain an abortion. That bill passed 223 to 205, with three Republicans — Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Fred Upton of Michigan — joining all Democrats in voting in favor.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
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