December 2017 – On October 3, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The bill would make abortion after 20 weeks gestation a crime, except in cases of rape, incest, or life of the mother. Approximately 10,000 lives are lost every year as a result of late-term abortion.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) and recognizes that babies in the womb as young as 20 weeks have pain receptors in a concentration equal to or greater than those of adults.
A bill containing the exact language passed the House earlier but failed to secure 60% of the vote required to move it forward under the Senate filibuster rule. American Family Association and Franks have called on the Senate to end the filibuster and pass the bill with a simple majority vote.
