For Immediate Release: 19 June 2013
For More Information: Benjamin Clapper, 1.866.463.5433; [email protected]
New Orleans, LA: Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of H.R. 1797 to protect unborn children who are capable of feeling pain, beginning at 20 weeks fetal age, by a margin of 228-196.
Congressmen Steve Scalise, Charles Boustany, John Fleming, Rodney Alexander, and Bill Cassidy all voted in favor of the legislation.
Congressman Cedric Richmond voted against H.R. 1797.
In a nationwide poll of 1,003 registered voters in March, The Polling Company found that 64% would support a law such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act prohibiting abortion after 20 weeks -- when an unborn baby can feel pain -- unless the life of the mother is in danger. Only 30% opposed such legislation. Women voters split 63%-31% in support of such a law, and 63% of independent voters supported it.
Benjamin Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life Federation, said the following after the vote:
"We are happy that the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1797, a bill similar to legislation passed in Louisiana in 2012. If enacted into law, H.R. 1797 would stop late term abortions, thereby shutting the door on the likes of Kermit Gosnell killing the lives of viable babies across America."
"Louisiana Right to Life, on behalf of the pro-life citizens of Louisiana, is appreciative of our Congressmen who voted in favor of H.R. 1797. Unfortunately, we are shocked that Congressman Richmond would vote in favor of allowing late-term abortion, even though many of these babies can survive outside the womb."
"Even though President Obama has indicated he will veto H.R. 1797, it is critical that this legislation gets a full hearing and vote in the U.S. Senate. We call on Senators Landrieu and Vitter to immediately write publicly to Senate President Reid and ask him to make this common sense legislation a priority. If a national poll showed that 64% of the nation supports such a law, then we can assume that the people of Louisiana overwhelmingly support H.R. 1797."
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