Pro-life organizations are cheering news that Senate Republicans will soon be introducing a 20-week abortion ban bill, a companion to the House-passed Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.
“The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is perhaps the most significant piece of pro-life legislation to come before the U.S. Congress since the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act,” National Right to Life senior legislative counsel Susan T. Muskett said.
The Washington Examiner first reported Thursday that South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham would be the lead sponsor on the legislation set to be introduced next week.
“A growing number of states and the U.S. House have now voted to end the barbaric practice of late abortion past the point at which the child can feel pain. We applaud Senator Graham and urge all Senators to join him in cosponsoring this compassionate legislation,” Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement.
“We ask Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring this to the Senate floor for a vote immediately,” she added.
In a letter announced Friday, the National Right to Life encouraged pro-life Senators to sign on as co-sponsors.
“Because of coverage surrounding the trial of Kermit Gosnell and subsequent revelations about other abortionists, many Americans are becoming aware for the first time that abortions are frequently performed late in pregnancy, on babies who are capable of being born alive, and on babies who will experience great pain while being killed,” the letter read in part, referencing former Philadelphia abortionist convicted of murder.
Pro-choice groups staunchly opposed the House’s version of the legislation and stand will likely oppose the Senate’s.
“The House’s 20-week abortion ban is heading to the Senate, and we have to make it absolutely clear to all 100 U.S. senators that pro-choice Americans won’t stand for this attack on our rights,” NARAL Pro-Choice America encourages its supporters to email their senators.“