Contact: Genevieve Wilson, Georgia Right to Life, 770-339-6880
NORCROSS, Ga., Jan. 28, 2015 – Georgia Right to Life (GRTL) today praised eight Georgia Republican Congressmen for leading an effort to enact historic pro-life legislation in Washington.
Sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jody Hice (R-10th), the Sanctity of Human Life Act (H.R. 426) declares that the right to life guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution “for us and our prosperity” is vested in each human being at the moment of fertilization.
If it becomes law, it would end abortion on demand, which has killed nearly 57 million innocent children since 1973.
“This greatly-needed, groundbreaking legislation has the strong support of pro-life organizations across the country,” explained GRTL President, Dan Becker. “It’s time for Congress to recognize what the majority of Americans already understand–all innocent human life is sacred and deserves legal protection.”
Joining Congressman Hice as co-sponsors were: Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-1st), Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-3rd), Rep. Austin Scott (R-8th), Rep. Doug Collins (R-9th), Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-11th), Rep. Rick Allen (R-12th), and Rep. Tom Graves (R-14th).
“I praise those who have cosponsored the bill and urge every Georgia congressman to join their colleagues, especially Congressmen Tom Price (R-6th) and Rob Woodall (R-7th) who should join their fellow GOP caucus members in supporting this effort,” Becker said.
The measure would replace the deeply-flawed Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36), which would have banned abortion after the 20th week fetal age.
That measure, which included rape and incest exceptions and a flawed health of the mother loophole, was withdrawn after drawing fierce opposition by grassroots pro-life groups across the country.
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, criticized the premise of the bill, calling it “preposterous” and “ridiculous.”
Cardinal Dolan also disagreed with the rape and incest exceptions. “Every life counts,” he told “Save The1” founder, Rebecca Kiessling, in a nationally broadcast radio interview.
Warning of a slippery slope, Cardinal Dolan added: “if we make an exception for rape and incest, then next year won’t they demand an exception for Down syndrome babies…?”
Georgia Right to Life promotes respect and effective legal protection for all innocent human life from earliest biological beginning through natural death. GRTL is one of a number of organizations that have adopted Personhood as the most effective pro-life strategy for the 21st century.