WASHINGTON, DC - House Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) this week respectively authored draft legislation to strengthen and improve the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002 and the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. The discussion drafts to be reviewed at a Health Subcommittee hearing next Thursday will strengthen enforcement against providers who violate these two existing laws.
“Videos released over the past several weeks have shaken and startled compassionate Americans across the country. The content of these videos is despicable and difficult to watch. As we move forward at the Energy and Commerce Committee with a thorough investigation, I am pleased we are also taking concrete steps to strengthen existing laws that will help protect the lives of babies," said full committee Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).
“Every human life is worthy of dignity and respect. The conduct displayed and questions raised in recent videos tear at the soul. It is our duty and commitment in Congress to complete our investigation, but in the meantime we must also do everything we can to protect the most innocent lives," said Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC).
Blackburn’s bill will bolster the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002 and Ellmers’ bill will bolster the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. Both bills will ban any provider proven of violating either of these existing laws from participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. Additionally, these bills will allow states that suspect any violation of these existing laws to ban those suspected from the state’s Medicaid program.
Additional hearing materials will be made available online here.
Keep up with the Energy and Commerce Committee’s investigation into the Planned Parenthood practices online here.
