01.29.18

Hoeven Votes to Advance Legislation to Protect Unborn Children

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement about the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, legislation that would ban abortion after 20 weeks. The bill includes exceptions to save the life of the mother and for pregnancies that are the result of rape or incest. Further, under this legislation, any criminal charges would apply only to those performing illegal abortions. Mothers would be protected from legal action. Hoeven is a cosponsor of the legislation and voted with 51 of his colleagues to bring the bill up for debate, with 60 votes required to advance the bill.

“This humane legislation recognizes that unborn children at 20 weeks can feel pain and survive with medical intervention if born at this stage of development,” said Hoeven. “This is not only the same, reasonable standard we have set in North Dakota, it is the law for the vast majority of nations around the world, including many of our western allies. Unfortunately, not enough of our colleagues joined us to reach the 60 votes needed to advance this important bill through the Senate.”

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