Today, Congressman Jason Smith voted in support of H.R. 1797, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would ban abortions in the United States after 20 weeks post fertilization. Smith has been in Congress less than two weeks, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is the first bill Smith co-sponsored upon entering Congress. The bill passed the House of Representatives on a vote of 228 to 196.
Since the Supreme Court’s controversial decision in Roe v. Wade in 1973, medical knowledge regarding the development of unborn babies and their capacities at various stages of growth has advanced dramatically. Extensive research conducted by Dr. Sunny Anand, an Oxford-trained neonatal pediatrician, shows that unborn children begin to feel pain by 20 weeks post fertilization, and possibly earlier.
“Today I proudly supported the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act because we can no longer live in a society that does not value life. Like many of my constituents, I found the trial of Kermit Gosnell shocking. This legislation will prevent other future atrocities,” said Smith. “As a person of faith, I have always fought for Pro-Life issues and in the United States House of Representatives I will continue supporting legislation to end abortions. While the issue of abortion is deeply personal, it also speaks to the character of our Nation. America should be a Nation that values all human life and today’s vote took us one step closer to that goal. I could not be more proud to co-sponsor this legislation and to vote for its passage today.”
