PRO-LIFE SENATORS REQUEST SENATE VOTE ON PAIN-CAPABLE LEGISLATION AS THOUSANDS GATHER IN WASHINGTON FOR 45TH ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE

WASINGTON – U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Steve Daines (R-Montana) and Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) have delivered a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell requesting that he schedule a vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. 

The senators noted the legislation would prohibit abortion after 20 weeks—the point at which scientific evidence shows that unborn children can feel pain.  The United States is currently one of only seven countries in the world that permit elective abortion after 20 weeks.  Polling numbers consistently show that the majority of Americans support a ban on abortion at this stage of pregnancy; these Americans no longer want to keep the company of countries like China and North Korea.

The full text of the letter is below.

Tomorrow, hundreds of thousands of Americans from across the country will gather in Washington to take part in the 45th Annual March for Life.  To coincide with the march, we write to respectfully request that you publicly announce your plans for a Senate vote on S. 2311, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.

As you know, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would prohibit abortion after 20 weeks—the point at which scientific evidence shows that unborn children can feel pain.  The United States is currently one of only seven countries in the world that permit elective abortion after 20 weeks.  Polling numbers consistently show that the majority of Americans support a ban on abortion at this stage of pregnancy; these Americans no longer want to keep the company of countries like China and North Korea.

Twenty states have already passed legislation protecting unborn children beginning at 20 weeks of pregnancy.  As pro-life marchers from every corner of our nation come to Washington this week, it is important that we announce a vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.  A vote would make our constituents immediately aware of the members of Congress who support elective late-term abortions and oppose extending legal protection to pain-capable unborn children nationwide.

Enclosed please find a letter from the leaders of pro-life organizations who represent millions of individuals and families across the country, voicing their support for a vote on this bill.  We are all grateful for your pro-life leadership, and we look forward to seeing the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act receive consideration on the Senate floor soon.