¶ Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
¶ Ron Johnson Effectively Voted For The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection
2019: Ron Johnson Effectively Voted For The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. In February 2019, Johnson effectively voted for a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require health care practitioners to provide medical care to any infant that survives an abortion procedure, to the extent legally required for any infant born at the same gestational age.” The vote was on a motion to invoke cloture, which required 60 affirmative votes. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 53 to 44. [Senate Vote 27, 2/25/19; Congressional Quarterly, 2/25/19; Congressional Actions, S. 311]
- National Abortion Federation: “This Anti-Choice Bill Uses Inflammatory Language In Yet Another Attempt To Justify Politically-Motivated, Medically-Unnecessary Interference In The Practice Of Medicine, Interference That Threatens Women’s Access To Reproductive Health Care.” According to the National Abortion Federation, “This anti-choice bill uses inflammatory language in yet another attempt to justify politically-motivated, medically-unnecessary interference in the practice of medicine, interference that threatens women’s access to reproductive health care. It is an attempt to distract from the Trump-Pence assault on safe, legal abortion care and is intended to intimidate abortion providers so that they stop providing essential heath care. These bills are written by anti-choice politicians to score points with their extremist base; they disregard the health of women and their families. Today’s attempt to pass yet another inflammatory and medically unnecessary bill demonstrates, once again, that the only thing anti-choice politicians in Congress can agree upon is finding new ways to demonize women who need to access safe, legal abortion care.” [National Abortion Federation, 2/25/19]
- Comments Made By Governor Ralph Northam (D-VA) On Late Term Abortion Were The Supposed Catalyst For This Bill. According to the Washington Post, “Republicans are moving aggressively to force Democrats to answer for legislation to ease restrictions on late-term abortions and the recent controversial comments by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, sensing a new opening on a divisive issue that could be a factor in the 2020 elections. President Trump criticized New York Democrats and the embattled Virginia governor in his State of the Union address this week, accusing lawmakers of allowing ‘a baby to be ripped from the mother’s womb moments before birth’ and Northam (D) of basically stating that ‘he would execute a baby after birth.’ […] As the Virginia legislature failed to pass a bill to reduce restrictions on late-term abortions, Northam was asked in a WTOP radio interview about abortions up to the point of delivery in instances when the mother’s life or health was at serious risk, which are permitted under current law. Northam said that the procedures are ‘done in cases where there may be severe deformities. There may be a fetus that’s not viable. So in this particular example, if a mother’s in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered, the infant would be kept comfortable, the infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired. And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother.’” [Washington Post, 2/7/19]
Ron Johnson Touted His Vote For The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. According to Johnson’s Twitter, More than a million Americans have fought and died for our inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Today’s vote to protect a baby born alive is an unfortunate reminder that we will need to keep fighting for the most basic of those rights, life.” [Twitter - @SenRonJohnson 2/26/19]
February 2020: Ron Johnson Voted To Advance Bills Restricting Abortion Rights As “Bills That Promote That Primary Mission Of Our Country.” According to a press release from Ron Johnson, “U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this Tuesday after voting to advance two bills that protect the right to life -- specifically, in the case of babies who survive failed attempts at abortion and in that of babies far along enough toward birth that they are capable of feeling pain: ‘As a compassionate society we have an obligation to protect life, especially the life of the most vulnerable among us -- the unborn, and those babies born alive despite an abortionist's attempt to kill them,’ said Johnson. ‘America is an incredible experiment in human freedom, founded by leaders who understood that the most basic right, the right to life, is unalienable. I am proud to support these bills that promote that primary mission of our country.’” [Press release from Ron Johnson, 02/25/20]
Ron Johnson Announced Pro-Life Stance Through His Support For Legislation To Protect Newborns That Are Born Alive Even After “Botched Abortions.” According to a press release from Senator Ron Johnson, “U.S Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said the following Monday after voting in favor of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, legislation to protect newborns that are born alive after botched abortions: ‘More than a million Americans have fought and died for our inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Today’s vote to protect a baby born alive is an unfortunate reminder that we will need to keep fighting for those rights, and in this case, for the most basic of those rights, life.’” [Press Release – Senator Ron Johnson, 2/26/19]
Ron Johnson Stated That “Born Alive” Legislation “Energized” Republicans. According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Johnson said ‘born alive’ legislation in New York, Virginia and in Congress that requires doctors to keep babies alive if they're born after a failed abortion ‘energized’ Republicans. The Wisconsin Assembly passed a "born alive" bill Thursday.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/18/19]