Bill to Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks Introduced in Senate

Last week, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced The Pain Capable Unborn Child Act (S. 1670), which would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, with very few exceptions for life of the mother and rape or incest when reported to legal authorities. An identical bill, The Pain Capable Unborn Child Act (H.R. 1797), introduced by Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ-8), passed the House of Representatives on June 18, 2013. The Senate bill, like the House bill, severely limits a woman’s autonomy over her own body, and refuses her the ability to make decisions according to her own beliefs and conscience.

Since the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade in 1973, anti-choice advocates have worked to restrict access to abortion, including laws on the use of public funds and restrictions on access to abortion services. First passed in 1976, the Hyde Amendment set the dangerous precedent of prohibiting federal dollars from going to abortion services. Until now, this has mostly affected women who rely on Medicare and Medicaid for health care, as well as women in the armed forces. However, under Affordable Care Act, millions more women will be impacted by this law. Many states also have laws that restrict access: parental consent laws for minors, waiting period requirements and prohibitions on the type of procedure available These laws reduce choice and ignore the rights women have as independent moral agents to decide what family planning services are right for them. Moreover, these limitations are heightened by the fact that in 88% of counties in the United States, there are no abortion providers. Our tradition teaches that all life is sacred. Although an unborn fetus is precious and to be protected, Judaism looks on the life and well-being of the mother as central; women are required to care for their own health above all else, placing a higher value on existing life than on potential life. There are many examples in which our tradition teaches that abortion is to be condoned, but in some cases, it is mandated. The Pain Capable Unborn Child Act, which has 38 Senate cosponsors, is an extreme bill that will infringe on a woman’s right to choose by restricting nearly all abortions after 20 weeks. The Supreme Court has held that states may regulate abortion after viability of the fetus, but at twenty weeks, this is not the case. Informed by a deep dedication to women’s equality and the teachings of our faith, we are opposed to these stringent restrictions to access to abortion. Take action now and urge your Senators to oppose this bill!   This piece originally appeared at RACblog.