Cliff Stearns: “the question I am addressing today concerns Federal policy on when life becomes worthy of recognition and protection. We…”

“the question I am addressing today concerns Federal policy on when life becomes worthy of recognition and protection. We will have a bill on the floor today, H.R. 2175, the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act; and I am here to advocate its passage, which specifically addresses this policy. Lately, we can find stories in the news that point up some inconsistencies occurring when individuals, institutions, and policymakers define not just when life begins, but when it becomes worthy of protection. For example, last month the administration announced that a developing fetus should be eligible for the S-CHIP program of government-funded health insurance for low-income children. Then last week, surgeons performed delicate cardiac surgery on the grape-sized heart of a 23-week-old fetus. Finally, in other news, many pregnant widows of fallen husbands in the September 11 terrorist attack are receiving compensation for their yet unborn child. It seems the States of Virginia and New York recognize a fetus as a surviving dependent, while today in Congress, we debate the status of a baby who has already been delivered outside of his or her mother's womb. In all of these examples, in fact, the fetus is recognized as worthy of protection, while here we debate over protecting an already born baby. Obviously, this bill is necessary. These are living babies who must be protected.”