Zoe Lofgren: “H.R. 2436 creates a separate Federal criminal offense for harm to, quote, an unborn child, with the legal status…”

“H.R. 2436 creates a separate Federal criminal offense for harm to, quote, an unborn child, with the legal status separate from that of the woman. The Lofgren-Conyers substitute creates a separate Federal criminal offense for harm to a pregnant woman. The underlying bill recognizes, quote, a member of the species Homo sapiens at all stages of development as a victim of crime, from conception to birth. This affords even an embryo legal rights equal to and separate from those of the woman. The Lofgren-Conyers substitute recognizes the pregnant woman as the primary victim of a crime. The substitute creates an offense that protects women and punishes violence resulting in injury or termination of a pregnancy. It provides for a maximum 20-year sentence for injury to a woman's pregnancy and up to a life sentence for termination of a woman's pregnancy. It requires a conviction for the underlying criminal offense and focuses on the harm to the pregnant woman, providing a deterrent against violence against women. This amendment is simple. Offered by the ranking member and myself, it recognizes that there are existing crimes in Federal law that protect women from violence such as violent assault. This amendment recognizes that when such crimes not only hurt the woman but also cause her to miscarry, there is additional harm to that woman. This amendment enhances the sentence one can receive for causing this additional harm to up to a life sentence.”