In its coverage of the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,” which is headed to the House floor tomorrow, the New York Times was careful to note that the idea that a fetus can feel pain after 20 weeks is a “scientifically disputed theory.” Pro-lifers, though, used the #TheyFeelPain hashtag today to pressure legislators to at the very least address that theory during a meeting of the House Rules Committee.
#Congress please stop violence against pain-capable unborn children – Support HR 1797 to protect babies at 20 wks! #theyfeelpain
— Stacy Washington (@StacyOnTheRight) June 17, 2013
https://twitter.com/graber429/status/346780898894700544
https://twitter.com/Reaganomics3/status/346763566025682945
Painful Gosnell snippings would be legal if done just BEFORE birth Protect unborn babies after 20 weeks #theyfeelpain
— Susan B. Anthony List (@SBAList) June 17, 2013
Do we want a society that condones such barbarity? As medical technology advances, we learn better and better the humanity of the pre-born.
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) June 17, 2013
I’m a proud co-sponsor of #HR1797, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Thank you to so many who have expressed your support.
— Rep. Martha Roby (@RepMarthaRoby) June 17, 2013
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) was among those scientists disputing the notion of the unborn feeling pain.
Emergency meeting on Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act starting now. We are keeping an eagle eye on this. #theyfeelpain
— Live Action (@LiveAction) June 17, 2013
Rep. Nadler (D-NY): Appealing to "reproductive rights." "Based on a complete falsehood." Questioning scientific opinion of fetal pain.
— Live Action (@LiveAction) June 17, 2013
Nadler: Evidence for/against fetal pain "very uncertain." Even if true, shouldn't we err on the side of caution until we're absolutely sure?
— Live Action (@LiveAction) June 17, 2013
Recommended
Nadler admits "uncertainty" as to fetal pain in the 2nd trimester. Again, shouldn't even Democrats make sure before tearing children apart?
— Live Action (@LiveAction) June 17, 2013
Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas), a practicing OB/GYN before he took office, offered his personal experience.
Rep. Burgess, a doctor: "No question in mind that a baby after 20 weeks can feel pain." Delivered hundreds of babies.
— Live Action (@LiveAction) June 17, 2013
Burgess: "The date is far too late. We should set it at 15 weeks, 16 weeks." They feel pleasure; why so hard to think they feel pain?
— Live Action (@LiveAction) June 17, 2013
Burgess: "No 20-week fetus can vote for us, but do they not deserve our protection?" #theyfeelpain #prolife
— Live Action (@LiveAction) June 17, 2013
Rep. Nadler should pay attention. He was very concerned about Congress not being doctors. HERE IS A DOCTOR. #theyfeelpain #prolife
— Live Action (@LiveAction) June 17, 2013
Nadler’s opinion was rendered moot by his colleague Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.).
Rep. Slaughter using the tired talking point that men are not allowed to make any laws on #abortion because they're not women.
— Live Action (@LiveAction) June 17, 2013
Rep. Slaughter: American people "disgusted" with "a group of men in suits and ties"? Women "can't be trusted"? Bizarre demagoguery here.
— Live Action (@LiveAction) June 17, 2013
The White House issued a statement this afternoon saying that President Obama would veto the bill were it to reach his desk, explaining that, as a “direct challenge” to Roe v. Wade, it expresses contempt for women’s health and women’s rights as well as for the Constitution itself. The statement also reiterates the Democrats’ stance that “government should not inject itself into decisions best made between a woman and her doctor.”
While that sounds like a direct call to repeal Obamacare, we’re not counting on it.
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