[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 34 (Monday, February 25, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1424-S1425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 S. 311

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to join many of my 
colleagues in raising our voices on behalf of some of the most 
vulnerable members of our society.
  Recently, a very disturbing and revealing discussion has been taking 
place in our country that raises serious questions about how much value 
and worth we ascribe to babies in the womb, especially those who are 
born despite an attempted abortion procedure.
  Before I go any further, let me say this clearly and unequivocally: 
If we as a nation are to hold any claim to a moral character that 
deserves to be admired and emulated, then we must be willing to say 
that the lives of newborn children have inherent value and are worthy 
of protection. There is simply no way to credibly claim otherwise.
  Whether it be legislation introduced or enacted by State legislatures 
or comments made by public officials, such as the Governor of Virginia, 
our country has begun to entertain the idea that the rights and 
privileges newborn babies possess is an open-ended question.
  This is alarming, and the U.S. Senate should go on the record in 
defense of their right to live instead of being callously discarded or 
worse--intentionally killed in the name of reproductive freedom. There 
is no middle ground here.
  It is concerning to me that in some corners of this country, and even 
within this Congress, there is an utter failure to recognize and affirm 
the right to life, especially after an infant has already been born.
  Throughout my time in elected office, I have found that giving those 
who disagree with me on any given issue the benefit of the doubt as it 
relates to their motivations has allowed me to consistently find 
commonality and reach compromise, even with incredibly unlikely allies 
and partners. But in this instance, there can be no mistake or 
ambiguity. The common ground that we all must occupy should be a shared 
commitment to uphold the basic, fundamental right to protect the life 
of every child, no matter the circumstances of his or her birth, which 
brings me to the legislation before the Senate today.

  I am a cosponsor of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, 
and I am grateful to each of my colleagues who supported the bill 
tonight. This legislation would create criminal penalties for doctors 
who allow infants to die rather than provide medical care after an 
attempted abortion.
  It would also require that born-alive abortion survivors be 
transported to a hospital for care and treatment rather than being left 
to languish on the counter of an abortion clinic or--as one former 
nurse and pro-life activist has shockingly recounted--be discarded 
along with the biohazard materials.
  Even in situations where comfort care is rendered to these little 
ones, that sometimes amounts to nothing more than keeping a baby warm 
until it passes away alone. No child should suffer this way.
  Under this bill, abortionists who defy these mandates to render care 
to born-alive survivors would face the justice that they are due 
instead of being ignored or permitted to continue committing 
infanticide.
  It is time for our country to demand that the victims of this 
abhorrent, inhumane treatment be afforded their rights and the 
perpetrators be held accountable.
  Speaking with one clear voice, we must say that every human being is 
made in the image of God and is therefore in possession of dignity and 
worth that cannot be displaced or dispossessed. Anything short of this 
unambiguous declaration would be a tremendous disservice to our 
children and fatally undermine the values of our society that we claim 
to uphold.

[[Page S1425]]

  While the debate surrounding abortion has engulfed this country for 
decades, the goalposts are now being shifted. Reproductive autonomy, we 
are now told, must include the ability and choice to end the life of a 
baby who survives an attempted abortion.
  As a former medical provider, I believe that to end a newborn's life 
either by refusing to provide lifesaving care or actively taking that 
child's life--as in the case of the infamous abortionist Dr. Kermit 
Gosnell and others--violates the oath every medical provider takes to 
do no harm.
  As a dad and a grandfather, I know from my own experience just how 
precious each life is. My daughters and grandchildren are treasured 
gifts that bring my family and me immeasurable joy. To think that they 
or any other child might be treated with anything other than the 
dignity and respect they are entitled to is tragic, heartbreaking, and 
outrageous.
  Providing necessary medical attention to save the lives of infants 
who survive an abortion is an imperative that we as a society must 
embrace if we are to be faithful to the promise our Founders made to 
the generations of Americans who would succeed them. In declaring the 
self-evident truth that all men are created equal, surely they intended 
to extend the same rights and liberties that their countrymen fought 
and died for to newborn babies who survive abortions.
  I am proud to have stood with my colleagues today in support of this 
legislation that seeks to protect these precious, vulnerable lives. We 
can and should do this as a reflection of the country we want to be.
  Our abortion laws in the United States already situate us among some 
of the world's worst human rights abusers, including North Korea and 
China.
  Now a national conversation about whether to provide children who 
survive abortions medical attention and care has ensued. It is my hope 
and prayer that the final word in this discussion will end with a 
resounding commitment to protect and preserve life.
  I would like to thank the junior Senator from Nebraska, Mr. Sasse, 
for leading on this critical issue and pushing to bring this measure to 
the floor today.
  I would also like to thank the President for his vocal commitment to 
defending life and protecting the most vulnerable among us.
  I feel blessed to stand alongside so many others to raise our voices 
on behalf of the voiceless.
  While I am disappointed with the result of today's vote, I remain 
committed to fighting for those who are unable to fight for themselves 
and will continue working to protect and uphold the sanctity of life.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island.