The House of Representatives will vote tomorrow on a bill that bans abortions nationally starting at 20 weeks of pregnancy, including babies at viability and all the way to the day of birth.
But the chair of the Democratic Party tweeted today against the ban, calling it extreme. Naturally, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, didn’t tweet that she thinks abortions ought to remain legal until the day before birth — but that’s the position her opposition to the late-term abortion ban puts her on record as having.
Instead, she couched her truly extreme position on the bill as protecting women’s health, because a mother taking her child’s life after viability apparently does wonders for her health.
The GOP’s abortion bill is an extreme, unprecedented reach into women’s lives. #GOPRebrand
— D Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) June 17, 2013
Women shouldn’t have to worry that our government will try to interfere in personal health care decisions. — D Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) June 17, 2013
But some pro-life advocates on Twitter wouldn’t let Schultz get away with it.
@DWStweets What about the baby’s right to life? Women have the right to choose to abstain if they are that sure they can’t support a child. — Heather Beanz (@cutiebeanz) June 17, 2013
No, Obamacare is. “@DWStweets: The GOP’s abortion bill is an extreme, unprecedented reach into women’s lives. #GOPRebrand”
— Whitney Pitcher (@whitneypitcher) June 17, 2013
On Wednesday, a committee passed the bill on a 20-12 vote and the measure now heads to the full House floor where it is expected to receive a debate and vote next week. Republicans are supportive of the measure while Democrats are generally opposed to it.
A recent national poll by The Polling Company found that, after being informed that there is scientific evidence that unborn children are capable of feeling pain at least by 20 weeks, 64% would support a law banning abortion after 20 weeks, unless the mother’s life was in danger. Only 30% said they would oppose such a law.
During the hearing, former abortion practitioner Anthony Levatino told members of the committee the gruesome details of his former abortion practice and how he became pro-life following the tragic automobile accident of his child.
Another bombshell dropped during the hearing came from Dr. Maureen Condic, who is Associate Professor of Neurobiology and Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She testified that the unborn child is capable of reacting to pain as early as 8-10 weeks. This is when most abortions in America take place.
The committee also saw graphic pictures of babies who were killed by Douglas Karpen, who is considered the second Kermit Gosnell.
After the subcommittee vote for the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797), Rep. Trent Franks, an Arizona Republican who is the bill sponsor, told LifeNews: “I understand the unfortunate reality that today’s markup will be surrounded by some degree of controversy. But we, as a nation, find ourselves at a point at which we don’t offer unborn children even the most basic protections — even protections we extend to animals and property.”
Franks added: “The trial of Kermit Gosnell exposed late abortions for what they really are: relocated infanticide. I pray we use this as a ‘teachable moment,’ in the words of President Obama, and can agree that, at the very least, we are better than dismembering babies who can feel every excruciating moment. I look forward to the bill’s moving on the full Judiciary Committee and to an eventual vote on this necessary, common-sense measure.”
Congressman Franks believes the national abortion ban is timely in light of the conviction of abortionist Kermit Gosnell and news reports of potentially similar gruesome late abortion practitioners around the country.
“I know when the subject is related in any way to abortion, the doors of reason and human compassion in our minds and hearts often close, and the humanity of the unborn can no longer be seen. But I pray we can at least come together to agree that we can and should draw the line at the point that these innocent babies can feel the excruciating pain of these brutal procedures,” he said.
