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Why I'm pro-life |
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October 6, 2017 |
By U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador
I wanted to share some great news with you: On
Tuesday, I voted for, and the House passed, H.R.
36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection
Act. This bill prohibits abortions 20 weeks
after conception because of the substantial
evidence that unborn babies at this stage can
and do feel pain.
I’ve long believed that our most fundamental
right, as Americans, is the right to life.
Thomas Jefferson, who authored our nation’s
founding document, agreed when he said, “The
first duty of government is the protection of
life, not its destruction. The chief purpose of
government is to protect life. Abandon that and
you have abandoned all.”
Our government has a duty to protect all human
life – including the life of the unborn;
especially the life of the unborn.
Furthermore, we have a special responsibility to
speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Life begins at conception. The unborn child is
still a child – made in the image of God, who
will one day have the same hopes and dreams as
the rest of us.
The fact that life begins at conception might be
an uncomfortable truth for some. But it’s a
truth, all the same.
Here’s another truth: Science, in recent years,
has proven that unborn babies feel pain no later
than 20 weeks after conception.
It’s at the 20-week mark that many premature
babies are able to survive these days – thanks
to incredible advancements in medical
technology.
At the 20-week mark, anesthesia is used in fetal
surgeries for patients still in utero. For
premature babies born at this stage, special
care is given to reduce their pain. All children
– whether they happen to be inside or outside
the womb – should be protected from pain.
The U.S. is one of only seven countries that
allow abortions after 20 weeks. Along with China
and North Korea, America is in the top four
percent of countries with the most permissive
abortion policies. We should not aspire to be in
the same category as known human rights abusers,
like China and North Korea.
I am pro-life and proud of it. As the child of a
single mother, I am grateful that my mother
chose life – when so many in her situation
choose differently.
All of us came from a mother who chose life. As
Ronald Reagan said, “I've noticed that everyone
who is for abortion has already been born.”
But this is about more than just abortion; it’s
about pain and suffering. And our obligation, as
a good and civilized people, is to minimize pain
and suffering – especially for those who we can
all agree are the most innocent among us.
I am proud to support H.R. 36 and I am glad it
passed the House. I will continue doing all I
can to advance a “culture of life” – in Idaho
and America. |
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