Lafayette Reporter

Senators John Kennedy, James Lankford, and Jim Banks have introduced the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This legislation aims to ensure that infants who survive abortion procedures receive the same medical care as any other child born at the same gestational age.

Senator Kennedy stated, "When an infant clings to life after an abortion procedure, doctors have a duty to care for that child. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would protect these defenseless boys and girls. There’s no reason Congress should delay in sending it to the president’s desk."

Senator Lankford emphasized, "No child should be denied medical care simply because they are ‘unwanted.’ Today, if an abortion procedure fails and a child is born alive, doctors can just ignore the crying baby on the table and watch them slowly die of neglect. That’s not an abortion, that’s infanticide."

Banks added his support by saying, "I've always fought to defend the unborn and will continue to do so in the Senate. It's unconscionable that we even need such a law, but it's essential to protect the most vulnerable among us. Now that Republicans have control of both chambers of Congress and the most pro-life President in my lifetime, we have the opportunity to see this important bill signed into law."

The proposed bill mandates health care providers offer necessary care to infants surviving abortions and transport them to hospitals if needed. It also includes requirements for health workers to report any failure in providing proper care to appropriate authorities and imposes penalties for non-compliance.

A number of senators have cosponsored this legislation alongside Kennedy, Lankford, and Banks.