On the recordJune 18, 2014
1 year ago today, this House passed H.R. 1797, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, with bipartisan support. To this date, the Senate has not considered this measure to protect the lives of innocent children in the womb from the cruel, excruciating pain of an abortion procedure. This is unconscionable. I fear for the conscience of our Nation because the termination of unborn children for any reason is tolerated in some parts of our country throughout pregnancy, even though scientific conclusions show infants feel pain by at least 20 weeks' gestation. Mr. Speaker, it is important that the American people understand exactly what happens when they hear the word ``abortion.'' It is a heart-wrenching, painful procedure that tears a baby limb from limb before crushing his or her head or is a poisonous chemical injection. As a country, we should leave this practice behind. That is why I cosponsored and voted for H.R. 1797, which would prohibit elective abortions in the United States past 20 weeks. Life is the most fundamental of all rights. It is sacred and God- given, but millions of babies have been robbed of that right in this, the freest country in the world. That is a tragedy beyond words and a betrayal of what we as a nation stand for. Before liberty, equality, free speech, freedom of conscience, the pursuit of happiness, and justice for all, there has to be life.…
