Ayotte, 32 Senators Urge Reid to Bring Up 20-Week Abortion Limit Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2014
Contact:
Mallory Quigley, 202-223-8073, [email protected]

Letter details Lozier Institute research showing U.S. one of seven countries to allow abortions after 20 weeks

Washington, D.C – In a letter led by Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), 33 U.S. Senators urged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to allow a floor vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S.1670), sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The bill would limit abortions nationwide after 20 weeks, or after 5 months of pregnancy, based on the child’s ability to feel pain. The Senators also urged their colleagues to review a groundbreaking new report by the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the education & research arm of the Susan B. Anthony List, that found the U.S. is one of just seven countries out of 199 examined that allows elective abortions after 20 weeks.

“It is time that Congress acts to bring the United States out of the fringe when it comes to late term abortions,” said Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH). “I urge Majority Leader Harry Reid to allow a vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would bring us closer to international norms and the views of the American people.”

“I’m pleased to join so many of my Senate colleagues and the vast majority of women nationwide in calling on the Majority Leader to hold a vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). “It is time America join the ranks of most other civilized countries by protecting unborn children at least at the point at which they are capable of feeling pain. The House already approved this humane measure in a bipartisan vote last summer. There’s no reason our constituents should be kept from having their voices heard on this issue in the Senate as well.”

“I find it troubling that the United States is standing with countries such as China and North Korea in allowing elective abortions past 20 weeks,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), sponsor of S.1670. “With an impressive 40 co-sponsors and overwhelming support by the public in poll after poll, it is time that Majority Leader Reid allow a vote on a compassionate 20-week limit.”

To date, 13 states have enacted 20-week abortion limits based on the unborn child’s ability to feel pain. The U.S. House passed companion legislation in June 2013 by a vote of 228-196.  Recent national polling by Quinnipiac, National Journal, Huffington Post, NBC/Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post/ABC News all found that a plurality or majority of Americans support limiting abortion after 20 weeks of gestation and that women support the measure in higher proportions than men.

The Susan B. Anthony List is dedicated to pursuing policies and electing candidates who will reduce and ultimately end abortion. To that end, the SBA List emphasizes the education, promotion, mobilization, and election of pro-life women.  The SBA List is a network of more than 365,000 pro-life Americans nationwide.

 

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