Cramer: House Passes Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman Kevin Cramer joined a majority of colleagues in the U.S House of Representatives to pass H.R. 36, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This bill, co-sponsored by Congressman Cramer, would prohibit abortions from being performed 20 or more weeks after fertilization. In addition, the legislation would provide protections for infants born alive and would provide women with a civil right of action if a healthcare provider fails to comply with the law. Nearly a dozen states, including North Dakota, have passed similar legislation.

"The United States stands with China, North Korea, and only four other countries without a ban on abortions after 20 weeks. Evidence shows unborn children begin to feel pain before 20 weeks and it is incumbent on our very humanity to ban these procedures. As a father and grandfather, it troubles me to know any child experiences such an excruciating death before knowing all the joys of living. I urge the Senate to join the House and pass legislation to restore a lost piece of our dignity and protect the most vulnerable in our society." said Cramer

The legislative findings in H.R. 36 state that unborn children react to touch by eight weeks after fertilization and possess all the mechanics necessary to perceive pain before 20 weeks. Surgeons routinely administer anesthesia to unborn children before performing surgery and have found it necessary to sedate unborn children with anesthesia to prevent rigorous movement in reaction to the surgery. There is substantial medical evidence that an unborn child is capable of experiencing pain 20 weeks after fertilization, if not earlier.

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