— By a
vote of 287 – 141, the House of Representatives today passed H.R.
3660, the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, which would prohibit
partial birth abortion procedures unless needed to save the life of
the mother.
Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-NC), who is a co-sponsor of the
bill, offered the following statement at the conclusion of the vote:
"I am proud to have cast my vote today in favor of human life;
both for the health of the mother and the life of the child.
"Partial birth abortion takes the already difficult issue of
abortion and raises it to another level. This inhumane and violent
procedure makes a mockery of the sanctity of human life. I cannot
understand how any individual could support this gruesome procedure
when the life of the mother is not endangered."
H.R. 3990 would impose a maximum sentence of two years
imprisonment and/or a fine on the individual who performs a partial
birth abortion. In addition, the bill would establish a civil cause
of action against the abortionist for the father of the infant, and
if the mother is a minor at the time of the abortion, the maternal
grandparents of the infant.
During the 105th Congress, the House and Senate voted to ban
partial birth abortion, but failed to gain the necessary support to
override President Clinton's veto.
