Sen. Cramer Joins Sen. Inhofe to Introduce Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act

Press Release

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) led 13 of his colleagues in introducing the Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act, which would prohibit abortion based on an unborn child having Down syndrome. Congressman Ron Estes (KS-04) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Sponsors of the bill include Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), James Risch (R-I.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).

As prenatal screenings increase in availability and accessibility, more and more people learn whether or not their baby has Down syndrome prior to the baby's birth. Sadly, many of these lives are aborted following a diagnosis--over two-thirds of unborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted in the U.S., and Iceland has virtually eradicatedDown syndrome altogether. The Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act would enact a federal ban on the performance of an abortion with the knowledge that a pregnant woman is seeking an abortion, in whole or in part, on the basis of a belief that her unborn child has Down syndrome. This legislation would not penalize the expectant mother in any way.

"Every life has value and that extends to the unborn," Inhofe said. "To take away the precious life of an unborn baby is murder, but to deny a child the chance at life because of his or her chromosome count is a heinous effort to eliminate a vibrant community through abortion. That's why I am introducing a bill to prohibit abortion based on a Down syndrome diagnosis. All children should be given the chance at life and today, with the introduction ofthe Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act, we have a chance to give a voice to the voiceless and build on pro-life legislation we've already championed, including the Life at Conception Act, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivor Protection Act and the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act."

"6,000 babies with down syndrome are born every year," said Cramer. "Each of them is a human being who deserves the right to life and the opportunity to make a difference in this world."

Source