[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 10, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S2558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INHOFE:
  S. 2190. A bill to implement equal protection under the 14th article 
of amendment to the Constitution for the right to life of each born and 
preborn human person; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, I rise today to introduce the Life at 
Conception Act. This bill is of utmost importance to future generations 
in America. Quite simply, it implements equal protection under the 
Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution for every born and pre-born 
person. It protects Americans' right to life by defining the term 
``human person'' as an individual at all stages of life, including, but 
not limited to, the moment of conception.
  The Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment grants that no ``state 
deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process 
of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal 
protection of the laws.'' Furthermore, it grants ``Congress shall have 
power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this 
article.'' It is time that we, the Congress, start enforcing this 
provision, start defending the Constitution, and start defending 
American lives.
  Even the Justices in the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision conceded this 
point by making the admission: ``If this suggestion of personhood is 
established, the appellant's case [Roe], of course, collapses, for the 
fetus' right to life is then guaranteed specifically by the 
[Fourteenth] Amendment.'' Our Constitution is designed to protect the 
rights of all Americans, and give them the right to live and succeed. 
Right now, significant portions of Americans, who have no voice, are 
being killed, despite the explicit protections in the Fourteenth 
Amendment. Since 1973, more than 44 million babies have been sentenced 
to death without trial. We cannot tolerate this atrocity.
  Additionally, a 1999 Wirthlin poll found that 62 percent of Americans 
support legal abortion only in cases of rape, incest, or if the 
mother's life is in danger. How can we stand by and let so many 
children die even when public opinion is on our side? It is our role as 
legislators to uphold and enforce the Constitution, and it is our role 
as humans to defend those who cannot defend themselves. I urge my 
colleagues to follow their conscience, support this bill, and do what 
is right for America and for humanity.
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