Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Representative Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) released the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act from advancing in the Senate: “Senate Democrats’ opposition to the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is wildly out of step with the views of American voters. This legislation is narrow in scope, addresses a real problem, and saves lives. Leader McConnell should be applauded for bringing the Born-Alive Act to the Senate Floor. While Speaker Pelosi continues to block consideration of the Born-Alive Act in the House, our bipartisan discharge petition is just over a dozen votes shy of forcing her to schedule a vote on this pro-family, pro-life, common-sense legislation. It is a disgrace that these radical Democrat Senators and Representatives, sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution, will not stand to uphold the most basic right — the right to life — or defend newborn babies from being killed by abortionists. All life is sacred and must be protected,” said Whip Scalise. “When I introduced the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act a year ago, I was hopeful that Congress would take quick action to protect the precious lives of children who survive abortions. I am heartbroken that the House has not yet voted on this lifesaving legislation, and I am grieved that Senate Democrats today voted down this commonsense legislation that would save innocent lives. I will not stop fighting for the rights of the born and unborn and I am grateful that Leader McConnell brought this legislation to the floor. While I am proud the Missouri legislature recently advanced similar legislation in a bipartisan manner, Congressional Democrats must act to protect newborn infants, giving them a chance at life when they are at their most vulnerable. Virtually everyone agrees we must protect innocent lives and I will not rest until this legislation becomes law,” said Rep. Wagner. 

• Requires that health care practitioners who are present at the live birth exercise skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child—the same degree of care that would be offered to any other child born prematurely the same gestational age. After those efforts, the health care workers must transport and admit the child to a hospital.
• Requires health care practitioners and hospital employees to report violations to law enforcement authorities, reducing the number of born-alive abortions that go unreported.
• Penalizes the intentional killing of a born-alive child through fines or up to 5 years imprisonment.
• Gives the mother of the abortion survivor a civil cause of action and protection from prosecution, recognizing that women are the second victims of abortion and promoting the dignity of motherhood

Background on the Born-Alive Act Discharge Petition:

• Whip Scalise introduced H.Res. 102 to provide floor consideration of H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.)
• The Born-Alive Act discharge petition set a record for the most signatures within 24 hours of a discharge petition being introduced.
• All House Republicans and three House Democrats have signed the petition.
• A simple majority (218) of signatures are needed for a discharge petition to be successful. The petition currently has 204 signatures.
• Discharge petitions do not expire during the 116th Congress. At any point in this Congress, upon receiving 218 signatures, this discharge petition would force floor consideration of the Born Alive Act, with no amendments or procedural tactics in order, and proceed to a final vote.