Posted on 06/18/2013 6:20:23 PM PDT by NYer
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 18, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The House of Representatives has passed a bill that would restrict all abortions nationwide to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” (H.R. 1797), introduced by Arizona Republica Trent Franks, would end abortion after a point that scientists agree unborn children can feel pain.
In a nearly party-line vote, the measure passed 228-196.
Six Democrats voted yes. Six Republicans voted against the bill. Ten Congressmen did not vote. The full roll call, showing how every Congressman voted, is below.
Democrats who voted yes include: Henry Cuellar of Texas, Dan Lipinski of Illinois, Jim Matheson of Utah, Mike McIntyre of North Carolina, Collin Peterson of Minnesota, and Nick Rahall of West Virginia.
Republicans who voted against the bill include Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia, Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, Richard Hanna of New York, Jon Runyan of New Jersey, and Rob Woodall of Georgia.
"Passage of today's landmark bill marks the first time in history, in either chamber of the U.S. Congress, that affirmative protection has been extended to unborn children,” said Franks. “It is my prayer that today also marks a day when America finally opens her eyes to the humanity of these little victims and the inhumanity of what is being done to them."
Others in the pro-lifemovement expressed their joy at the bill's passage.
“This vote makes a statement in favor of life even though the Dem[ocrat]-controlled Senate likely won't move on it,” said Cheryl Sullenger, senior policy advisor for Operation Rescue. “Getting this far was a big deal.”
The act's future is uncertain, as it lacks a companion in the Senate, and President Obama has threatened to veto it if the measure ever reaches his desk.
If the bill becomes law, abortionists who perform late-term abortions may face a fine or up to five years in prison.
The legislation would affect the 300 abortionists who perform abortions after 20 weeks post-fertilization and an estimated 140 abortion providers who are willing to perform abortions at 24 weeks or later, according to a 2008 report from the Guttmacher Institute.
Some in the pro-life movement were outraged after House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia added amendment allowing abortion in the cases of duly reported rape or incest, a change he made bowing to a media feeding frenzy over Franks' remarks about abortion and rape – remarks he says were misinterpreted.
The bill already allowed abortions to save the mother's life.
Georgia Right to Life rescinded its previous support of the bill, saying it had been “hijacked.”
“Sadly, the politics of compromise has decided that one class of children—those conceived by rape or incest—do not deserve protection from the agony of literally being ripped apart.,” said GRTL President Dan Becker.
Georgia Congressmen Paul Broun and Rob Woodall were two of the six Republicans to vote nay.
Most of the nation's pro-life groups strongly supported the incremental measure as an improvement over existing policy. Douglas Johnson, legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee, said, "Any lawmaker who votes to allow unlimited abortion in the sixth month or later is voting to encourage a continuation of the horrors associated with the likes of Kermit Gosnell."
Cantor also scheduled Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, to manage today's vote instead of Franks – something Democrats seized upon during the debate.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, who has strong ties to the Democratic Socialists of America, was among those who drew attention to the fact that there are no Republican women on the House Judiciary Committee, which passed the bill last Wednesday.
“Do you think it's fair or proper for a body of men to solely determine one of the most important and private decisions a woman can make in regard to her own health and body?” she asked.
Democrats appeared eager to change the subject from the bill's purpose – ending the practice of late-term abortions that led to the abuses of Kermit Gosnell and others – to their familiar “War on Women” rhetoric.
President Obama issued a statement yesterday saying he“strongly opposes” the bill, which he said presents a “direct challenge to Roe v. Wade and shows contempt for women's health and rights, the role doctors play in their patients' health care decisions, and the Constitution.”
Democrats shared his talking points in the hours prior to the vote.
“The bill is a direct threat to the privacy rights and health of every woman living in this country, and especially women of color,” said Rep. Barbara Lee, D-CA. She said minority members suffered even more “due to the terrible Hyde Amendment,” which forbids taxpayer funding of abortion.
Lee was the only member of Congress who did not vote to authorize force against the Taliban following 9/11.
The full roll call vote is as follows:
---- YEAS 228 ---
Aderholt |
Graves (MO) |
Perry |
---- NAYS 196 ---
Andrews |
Gallego |
Nolan |
Bonner Campbell Hunter Larsen (WA) |
Markey McCarthy (NY) Pascrell Rogers (KY) |
Schock Yarmuth |
Ping!
Article sub-titled: “Democrats and Women’s Libbers all Across the United States Chew Their Own Arms Off and Spit Blood.”
Another RINO from PA that needs to be abused. (Not my congresscritter tho, that would be freshman, Scott Perry ... still need to see how he works out.)
Boy are they ever (brave) adventurous.
per the feminists question, damn right yes. wonenhave no problem doing it for men or anyone else.
We must be approaching an election year. While pro-life advocates understandably appreciate this bill which limits abortions, it remains that the states have never delegated to Congress via the Constitution the specific power to regulate either abortion or healthcare. So I think that the Houses’s bill is just pre-election year noise that incumbents are hoping will win a few conservative votes for them in 2014.
Progress. Still too much opportunity for child sacrifice/murder.
I see my so-called congressman (Yarmuth - RAT) didn’t vote. He was too busy at the ground breaking for the Ohio River Bridges project which he fought and delayed for the last 20 years and now wants everyone to believe he has always supported.
Democrats who voted yes include: Henry Cuellar of Texas, Dan Lipinski of Illinois, Jim Matheson of Utah, Mike McIntyre of North Carolina, Collin Peterson of Minnesota, and Nick Rahall of West Virginia. Republicans who voted against the bill include Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia, Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, Richard Hanna of New York, Jon Runyan of New Jersey, and Rob Woodall of Georgia.
Republicans who voted against the bill include Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia, Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, Richard Hanna of New York, Jon Runyan of New Jersey, and Rob Woodall of Georgia.
Remember those names folks, They are baby-killers.
Democrats for Life is a joke.
A real failure to elect any “pro-life DEMs” who aren’t worthless. Michaud-ME, Lynch-MA, Langevin-RI
and many DEMS from the heartland.
Hanna R-NY upstate ‘no’. Should be purged.
What’s with RINO John Bohner “Not Voting”??????
that is bonner of Alabama
Typically the Speaker doesn’t vote.
Abortion is murder. Do you think states should have the right, under the 10th amendment, to legalize murder of those already born? Or just those not born yet?
Minnesota, North Carolina, Utah, West Virginia... Pro-life (if some are Democratic) states...
No surprises here.
The surprise is... Georgia...
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The Senate needs to be cleaned out. Lysol, a high colonic, roto-rooter, something. Why is it such a cesspool? Apparently there is no companion bill for the Senate. The majority of Americans do not want abortion legal past the 5th month - about 2 to 1.
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Obamacare emasculated Democrats for Life, sadly. Their heavy hitters were all purged in 2010 as a result.
“Georgia Right to Life rescinded its previous support of the bill”
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