Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Late Term Abortion Ban in D.C
Washington, D.C. - Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee will hold a hearing on H.R. 1797, the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Tomorrow’s hearing will examine H.R. 1797, which would ban abortions in the District of Columbia after 20 weeks. Currently, there are no restrictions on abortions until birth in the District of Columbia other than the federal ban on partial-birth abortions.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee Chairman Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) released the following statements in advance of tomorrow’s hearing.
Chairman Goodlatte: “The taking of innocent life is a practice all too common in this nation. The recent trial of Dr. Kermit Gosnell, who ran an abortion clinic in Philadelphia, was a stark reminder of the horrific, reprehensible crimes committed against newborn babies and the unborn every day. The goal of tomorrow’s hearing is to examine legislation that will help protect the lives of innocent unborn children who have the capacity to feel pain.”
Subcommittee Chairman Franks: "I know when the subject is related in any way to abortion, the doors of reason and human compassion in our minds and hearts often close, and the humanity of the unborn can no longer be seen. But I pray we can at least come together to agree that we can and should draw the line at the point that these innocent babies can feel the excruciating pain of these brutal procedures.
"The case of Kermit Gosnell shocked the sensibilities of millions of Americans. However, the crushing fact is that abortions on babies just like the ones killed by Kermit Gosnell have been happening hundreds of times per day, every single day, for the past 40 years. Indeed, let us not forget that, had Kermit Gosnell dismembered these babies before they had traveled down the birth canal only moments earlier, he would have, in many places nationwide, been performing an entirely legal procedure. If America truly understands that horrifying reality, hearts and laws will change. I pray tomorrow's hearing demonstrates that.
"To this end, I intend, at the appropriate time, to amend the D.C. Pain Capable Unborn Protection Act, broadening its coverage so that its provisions would apply nationwide.
"Knowingly subjecting our innocent unborn children to dismemberment in the womb, particularly when they have developed to the point that they can feel excruciating pain every terrible moment leading up to their undeserved deaths, belies everything America was called to be. This is not who we are."
Witnesses for tomorrow’s hearing include:
Dr. Anthony Levatino, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Las Cruces, New Mexico;
Dr. Maureen Condic, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, School of Medicine;
Ms. Jill Stanek, former Registered Nurse, Labor and Delivery Department, Christ Hospital, Oak Lawn, Illinois; and
Ms. Christy Zink, Washington, D.C.
The hearing will take place in 2141 Rayburn. All House Judiciary Committee hearings are webcast live at www.judiciary.house.gov. For more information about this hearing, visit /_files/hearings/113th/hear_05232013.html.