House Republicans will note the two-year-anniversary of the conviction of infamous abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell by voting to ban abortion midway through pregnancy.
Next week the House will vote on a measure prohibiting most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told the Weekly Standard. He didn’t specify which day, but it will occur on or around Wednesday — two years to the day since Gosnell was convicted of murdering three infants born alive during attempted abortions.
“Life is precious and we must do everything we can to fight for it and protect it,” McCarthy said. “Our commitment for the House to consider this important legislation has been steadfast and I am proud of the work of our members to prepare this bill for House consideration next week.”
About a dozen states have already passed similar bills, and anti-abortion groups have made getting a national version passed a top priority. Senate Republican leaders have indicated they’ll also hold a vote this year. Even so, the ban is certain to hit a roadblock, as President Obama has said he’d veto it.
Dubbed a “fetal pain” bill, the measure is based on the idea that a fetus can feel pain beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy, or, 22 weeks gestation. It contains exemptions for rape, incest and when the mother’s life is at stake.
Abortion opponents were disappointed in January, when the House abruptly cancelled a planned vote over wording disputes. Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., and some other female members objected to requiring women to first report a rape to authorities before obtaining a post-20-week abortion under the rape exemption.
The new version strips that requirement and says instead that a woman must either get medical treatment or licensed counseling 48 hours before the procedure.
Abortion opponents say they’re pleased the vote will now occur near the anniversary of Gosnell’s conviction, which at the time gave them a platform to raise ethical questions about how abortions are performed and the morality of the procedure itself.
“The timing of this vote is fitting,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List, one of the groups pushing a 20-week ban. “Two years ago, the barbarism of late-term abortion was brought into the national spotlight by the trial of late-term abortionist Dr. Kermit Gosnell. America’s eyes were opened to the horrific reality of late-term abortion, a stain on our national conscience.”
