Senators Introduce Born Alive protection Act.

Sasse: "If we can’t come together and agree that newborn babies deserve care, our talk about 'human rights' and 'inherent dignity' is empty."

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE), along with 23 Senate co-sponsors, introduced the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.

"If we can’t come together and agree that newborn babies deserve care, our talk about 'human rights' and 'inherent dignity' is empty," said Senator Sasse. "This is an opportunity for well-meaning people to set aside our differences and work to protect babies. I'm grateful that the House did that last week and I'm glad to begin that process in the Senate today."

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which is identical to that passed by the House of Representatives last week on a bipartisan vote of 248-177, would protect newborns that survive abortions by requiring appropriate care and admission to a hospital.

"Nebraska has always been a leader in providing protections for unborn children," said Senator Deb Fischer. "I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation to help ensure that these babies receive the care they deserve at every stage of life. I commend Senator Sasse for introducing it."

"We have a moral responsibility to protect our most vulnerable, and to prioritize precious human life over death," said Senator John Cornyn. "The necessity to protect the life of a newborn child should be without question or controversy, and I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle can unite behind this important legislation."

"We cannot stand idly by and allow those who can't fight for themselves receive substandard care or simply no care at all," Senator Steve Daines stated. "The right to life is protected by our Constitution and is part of the framework of the Declaration of Independence. We must continue to be a voice for those who have none. We need to get this common sense legislation passed and on the President's desk."

"As a mother and grandmother, I remain steadfast in my commitment to protect the most vulnerable, which is an important measure of any society," said Senator Joni Ernst. "This commonsense legislation ensures that all babies born into this world – regardless of the circumstances surrounding their birth – are treated with the dignity, care, and compassion that they rightly deserve."

"This bill is about protecting the most innocent and vulnerable," said Senator Chuck Grassley. "It’s about ensuring that every breathing baby gets a chance at life. And, at its most basic level, it’s about a common sense principle that a baby who has survived an abortion procedure deserves to be treated with dignity. This is a bill worthy of everybody’s support."

"Society has an obligation to protect life," Senator Ron Johnson said. "It is my hope that we all can agree on this fundamental truth. In today’s society, the need to protect life outside the womb is urgent. I support the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act in the hope that it will strengthen protections for the most vulnerable people in society."

"I believe it is the duty of our government to protect the life of the born and unborn as a right guaranteed under the Constitution," Senator Rand Paul said.

"This bill ensures innocent babies who are born alive receive the care and medical treatment they need," Senator Rob Portman stated. "It's about treating all human life with dignity, no matter how vulnerable, and I'm pleased to support this bill."

"This is not a pro-life versus pro-choice issue: it is a matter of fact," said Senator Mike Rounds. "A baby who survives an abortion has the same rights under the law as any other newborn baby. In the history of the world, the true test of society is how well we treat the most vulnerable among us. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is an opportunity to do the right thing and make certain we are protecting the most helpless and defenseless in our society."

"When it comes to protecting babies, we know what’s right and what’s wrong. What’s right is providing them the opportunity to grow, to learn, to become the bright eyed, world-changing children who we all cherish and protect, and I’m proud to be an original co-sponsor of this bill," said Senator Thom Tillis


The legislation requires that, when an abortion results in the live birth of an infant, health care practitioners must exercise the same degree of professional skill and care to protect the newborn as would be offered to any other child born alive at the same gestational age. It also requires that the living child, after appropriate care has been given, be immediately transported and admitted to a hospital.

Original co-sponsors to the legislation include Ms. Fischer (R-NE), Mr. McConnell (R-KY), Mr. Blunt (R-MO), Mr. Coats (R-IN), Mr. Cornyn (R-TX), Mr. Crapo (R-ID), Mr. Cruz (R-TX), Mr. Daines (R-MT), Mr. Enzi (R-WY), Ms. Ernst (R-IA), Mr. Graham (R-SC), Mr. Grassley (R-IA), Mr. Inhofe (R-OK), Mr. Johnson (R-WI), Mr. Lankford (R-OK), Mr. McCain (R-AZ), Mr. Moran (R-KS), Mr. Paul (R-KY), Mr. Perdue (R-GA), Mr. Portman (R-OH), Mr. Rounds (R-SD), Mr. Rubio (R-FL), and Mr. Tillis (R-NC).