01.22.25

Hoeven Votes to Advance Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

Legislation Blocked from Consideration by Senate Democrats

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today voted to advance the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, legislation he helped introduce with Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) to protect newborns that survive abortions by requiring they receive care from health care practitioners. Senate Democrats blocked the bill from consideration, preventing it from reaching the required 60-vote threshold.

“This legislation would require health care practitioners to provide the same care for a child born alive following an abortion attempt, as they would to any infant born. We have a responsibility to protect those who are most vulnerable and ensure they are cared for with dignity and respect,” said Hoeven. “Each life is a blessing, and I will continue fighting to protect the sanctity of life.”

In 2002, Congress passed the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act which codified in law that a newborn, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, is to be legally recognized as a person from the moment of birth if he or she show any sign of life. The 2002 law did not provide any measures to enforce the protection of these infants, which has allowed the practice of leaving a child to die after a botched abortion to continue. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act adds clear expectations of care, hospital transfer requirements, mandatory reporting, private rights of action for mothers, and criminal penalties for health care professionals who violate the law. 

-###-