FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: KIMBERLY NIELSEN
April 5, 2000	(202) 225-3415

 

HOUSE PASSES PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION BAN

Washington, D.C. — 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.