Reschenthaler Signs Discharge Petition to Protect Abortion Survivors, Stop Infanticide
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) signed Republican Whip Steve Scalise's discharge petition to force a vote on H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which protects babies born alive during failed abortions. If the discharge petition receives 218 signatures, Republicans can force a vote on H.R. 962 on the House floor.
"Any Member of Congress who opposes infanticide should have no problem signing this discharge petition," said Reschenthaler. "It is unconscionable that my colleagues across the aisle would rather play politics than protect helpless infants born alive during abortions. I will continue working to get this bill over the finish line and to protect the rights of the unborn."
H.R. 962, introduced by Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) and cosponsored by Reschenthaler, ensures that a baby born alive after a failed or attempted abortion receives the same medical care as any other newborn. The bill would also penalize doctors who allow such infants to die or who intentionally kill a newborn following a failed abortion.
Earlier this year, Reschenthaler was the seventh Republican to speak on the House floor to formally request that Speaker Nancy Pelosi bring H.R. 962 up for a vote. House Democrats have repeatedly blocked these efforts despite strong bipartisan support for legislation to stop infanticide: 86 percent of Republicans, 70 percent of Democrats, and 75 percent of Independents are in favor of such a measure.
"By forcing Republicans to utilize the discharge petition process, Democrats have once again shown that they put political showmanship before protections for these newborns," stated Reschenthaler.
###