Democrats block Senate bill requiring medical care for babies that survive abortion
by Kimberly Leonard
| February 04, 2019 06:41 PM
Senate Democrats on Monday blocked an effort to pass legislation clarifying that babies who survive attempted abortions must receive medical care.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., rejected the motion to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, authored by Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., and co-sponsored by other Republicans. Sasse had sought to pass the bill via unanimous consent, meaning that one senator could stop it by objecting.
"You’re either for babies or you’re defending infanticide," Sasse said before the vote.
GOP senators were aiming to pressure Democrats to state whether they believe any limits should be placed on abortion after controversial comments appearing to indicate otherwise from Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.
Northam and Virginia Del. Kathy Tran, both Democrats, appeared to indicate last week that they supported a state bill that would allow abortion at the time of birth. Tran later said she misspoke.
The bill had the backing of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who said during his opening remarks on the Senate floor Monday that the legislation was "the very definition of something that might receive unanimous consent."
"What could be more unanimous than this? ... It's harrowing this legislation is even necessary," McConnell said.
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