Sen. Sasse on 20 Week Abortion Ban: “This bill is based on science.”

by | Oct 18, 2017 | Pro-Life

In October, a coalition of pro-life senators introduced the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act which would ban abortions after 20 weeks gestation. The House of Representatives passed the same bill 237-189, but it’s expected to face an uphill battle in the Senate.

Interview with Senator Sasse on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse joined Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and James Lankford (R-OK) in introducing the bill. Senator Deb Fischer, Nebraska’s senior representative in the Senate, is a supporting co-sponsor. Following the introduction, Sasse stated in a press release:

“Washington has a debate between empty euphemisms like ‘choice’ and basic science – none of the usual euphemisms change the fact that a 20-week old baby can see, swallow, and flex her arms and legs. Americans rightly condemn human rights abuses around the world because we judge societies on how they take care of their most vulnerable members – there’s no good reason for the United States to be on a list of human rights abusers like China and North Korea in allowing these kinds of abortions.”

Support for these types of laws continue to increase as advancements in medical technology reveal the humanity of life inside the womb. By 20 weeks, babies nervous systems are sufficiently developed to feel pain and they will recoil from painful stimuli, even as an adult would. Anesthesia is routinely administered when a child undergoes surgery in utero.

Nebraska was the first state to pass this type of legislation in 2010. Since then, 19 other states have adopted the law including South Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Indiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Idaho, Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and Arizona.

46 senators have co-sponsored the bill, signaling their support. 60 yes-votes will be needed to send it to the President’s desk. When a bill is filibustered, and likely this one will be, it takes a supermajority to end debate and force a vote on the bill. This is called a cloture vote. Without a successful cloture vote, the bill will not advance.

Senator Sasse joined Karen Bowling on the air to discuss this common-sense legislation’s introduction.

Karen Bowling

Karen Bowling

Former Executive Director
When Karen isn't leading a women's Bible study or coordinating a prayer meeting, she's usually with her six grandchildren that keep her busy, laughing, and young at heart.