U.S. House Passes 20-Week Abortion Ban On Anniversary Of Gosnell Conviction

Dustin Siggins : May 13, 2015
LifeSiteNews.com

President Obama has previously vowed to veto the bill, but there is always PRAYER!

(Washington, DC)—The United States House of Representatives has passed a ban on most abortions after 20 weeks' gestation, ending four months of often vitriolic debate among Capitol Hill Republicans and pro-life activists about the contentious piece of legislation. (Photo via LifeSiteNews.com)

The bill passed 242-184, largely along party lines, with one member voting present. Four Republicans broke ranks and voted against the bill, while four Democrats voted in favor.

President Obama has previously vowed to veto the bill, should it pass both the House and the Senate.

The passage of the bill comes on the second anniversary of the conviction for murder of late-term abortionist Kermit Gosnell. Gosnell was convicted on three of four charges of murdering babies born alive after failed abortions. Gosnell's former staff members testified that the abortionist murdered "hundreds" of newborn babies in this way, often by "snipping" their spinal cords post-birth.

The bill vote on the bill was originally scheduled coincide with the annual March for Life in January, but objections from Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-NC, and several other female GOP House members forced a delay.

The Members said they did not support a rape exception that allowed a woman to have a late-term abortion only if she reported the crime to police before aborting her child. Their opposition led to changes in the bill, including the removal of the reporting provision for adults.

The provision was replaced with a requirement that abortionists ensure that rape victims have received either medical treatment or licensed counseling a minimum of 48 hours prior to the late-term abortion. The counseling cannot be done at a facility that also does abortions, unless the abortion clinic is inside a hospital.

Other changes include, but are not limited to, the addition of language that requires the presence of a second doctor in the case of such abortions, in case the child is born alive. The bill mandates that a child who survives a late-term abortion is to be cared for in the same way as any premature child, and a woman can sue if this part of the bill is violated.

Accountability and reporting laws are also enhanced under the bill, and informed consent is required.

However, the legislation provides an exception to the informed consent and second doctor provisions, as well as a provision requiring the late-term abortion to be done "only in the manner which...provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive."

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