The House of Representatives passed legislation Tuesday that would criminalize abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for instances where the life of the mother is at risk and in cases involving rape or incest.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 237 for and 189 against, largely on party lines.
The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which is similar to legislation that failed in 2013 and 2015, has support from the White House this time around.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced last week that the House would vote on H.R. 36, calling it legislation that “will respect the sanctity of life and stop needless suffering.”
“It will protect those children who science has proven can feel pain, and give them a chance to grow and live full and happy lives,” McCarthy’s statement said. “We have an obligation to speak and defend for those who can’t speak for themselves.”
“This dangerous, out-of-touch legislation is nothing more than yet another attempt to restrict women’s access to safe, legal abortion,” Planned Parenthood Action Fund said online. PPAF also writes, “20-week bans are unconstitutional. 20-week bans are a clear attempt to erode Roe v. Wade. In fact, 20-week ban proponents are outspoken about their goal to challenge the 1973 Supreme Court decision protecting a woman’s right to safe and legal abortion.”
