FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2014
Contact: Leslie Palma
347-286-7277
Washington, DC – In a strongly worded statement on the day before the midterm elections, Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, called today on candidates for the United States Senate to take a clear position on a piece of legislation that would protect children in the womb from five months and older from procedures that dismember and decapitate them.
The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, already enacted in various states, is based on the scientific evidence that by the time they reach 20 weeks of development in the womb, children can feel pain, and that therefore the state has an interest in protecting them from abortion procedures that tear off their arms and legs and crush their heads. The US House of Representatives passed this measure on the federal level. It was introduced in the US Senate, but the leadership did not bring it to a vote.
“If there had been a vote,” Fr. Frank said, “those already in the Senate and now asking for our votes would have gone on record regarding this legislation, which the majority of Americans support. By avoiding a vote, Senate leadership has given candidates cover from this uncomfortable question. But we should not. Every candidate for US Senate should be asked a simple question: Are you in favor of protecting children in the 5th month of development and beyond from painful dismemberment?
“Now there are those who will claim that the highest virtue in the political debate is civility and the best tactic is dialogue. But even if one takes that approach, one must admit that a civil dialogue begins with honesty stating your position on the issues. The problem with so many of these candidates is that they will not even take the first step toward civil dialogue. On the most important issue of life and death, they are mute.
“Some of the Senate candidates have indeed made it clear where they stand on the Pain-Capable bill. Others have run away from the issue. The failure to address such a basic question of life, death, and decency is already a failure of leadership. If a politician can’t respect the life of a little baby, how is he or she supposed to respect yours?”
Click here to see what US Senate Candidates have and have not said about the Pain-Capable Bill.