WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) signed the discharge petition to bring the Born Alive Protection Act to the House floor for full debate and a vote. Rep. Wittman is an original cosponsor of this legislation and a member of the Values Action Team.
“House Republicans have asked Democratic leadership to bring this legislation to the floor 25 times, but each time we have been met with silence,” said Rep. Wittman. “Just because a child survives a failed abortion doesn’t mean he or she shouldn’t get the same chance to live as a similar child born outside of an abortion clinic. The American people deserve to know where their representatives stand on this issue. As a child of adoption, I am grateful every day that my birth mother chose life; and I’ve been able to use my story to fight for the sanctity of life. I hope my House colleagues across the aisle will also recognize the right of the most vulnerable amongst us to live.”
The Born Alive Protection Act requires that health care practitioners who are present at a live birth exercise skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child – the same degree of care that would be offered to any other child born prematurely at the same gestational age. After those efforts, the health care workers must transport and admit the child to a hospital. This legislation passed the House in the 115th Congress by a bipartisan vote of 241-183.
