Urge support for Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act!

Thank you to all who responded to our recent alert asking you to urge your senators to co-sponsor and push for a vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. We’re pleased to announce that your voice was heard, and the U.S. Senate has scheduled a voteon the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (S. 311)for Monday, February 25.
 
Even if you have already urged your senators to vote for the bill, please contact your senators again and urge them to be present for the vote and to vote for S. 311.
 
Also, please urge your representative to co-sponsor the House version of the bill (H.R. 962) and sign the discharge petition when it becomes available in April. 
 
The discharge petition is a mechanism that allows the House minority to force a vote on a bill. A discharge petition requires a waiting period of 30 legislative days, which in this case will conclude in mid-April. At the end of the 30 days, if 218 Members (a simple majority) sign the petition the Born-Alive bill will proceed to a vote.
  
Today, states are not just expanding abortion but allowing infanticide as well. New York passed a drastic law that eliminated protections for babies who survive an abortion attempt. And here in Virginia, a similarly extreme bill was introduced and defeated, followed by deeply disturbing comments made by the Governor. Please read bishops’ statements on the Virginia legislation and the Governor’s comments here.
 
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (S. 311/H.R 962) would require any health care practitioner present when a child is born alive following an abortion to give the same degree of care to preserve the life and health of the child as would be given to any other newborn. And after giving such care, it requires the practitioner to ensure that the child is immediately transported and admitted to a hospital. To see the text of S. 311 and the current list of co-sponsors click here. To see co-sponsors of the House bill click here.
 
Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has called on Congress to enact this law.
 
What you can do: 

• Send a message today urging your senators and representative to vote for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
• Click here to send your message by email or Twitter, or if you prefer to call, you will find your member’s phone number and a suggested phone script. 
• Share this alert with your friends and family. Copy this link and paste it in an email encouraging everyone you know to contact Congress.

Please click here to view this on the web.