ProLife/ProChoice: Two Senators, Two Views

Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after he voted against a bill that would have banned abortions after 20 weeks:

“This is an irresponsible, politically motivated attempt to block women’s access to affordable health care. Instead of coming to an agreement to prevent the government from shutting down next week, extremists in Congress are spending their time telling a woman what she can and can’t do with her own body. This is politics at its worst. Montana women deserve better.”

In addition to blocking a woman’s right to choose, the bill would force minors who have survived rape or incest to report the crime to law enforcement before terminating a pregnancy after 20 weeks.

Senator Steve Daines today, along with 20 Senate cosponsors, helped introduce the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.

"We cannot stand idly by and allow those who can't fight for themselves to receive substandard care or simply no care at all," Daines stated. "The right to life is protected by our Constitution and is part of the framework of the Declaration of Independence. We must continue to be a voice for those who have none. We need to get this common sense legislation passed and on the President's desk."

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which is identical to that passed by the House of Representatives last week on a bipartisan vote of 248-177, would protect newborns that survive abortions by requiring appropriate care and admission to a hospital.