Utah’s McAdams signs petition to vote on Born Alive Bill
Apr 3, 2019, 8:02 AM
Democrat Unseating the only Democrat representing Utah in Congress will be a challenge -- but first, Republicans in Utah's 4th Congressional District will have to choose their candidate. (FILE PHOTO DESERET NEWS)
(FILE PHOTO DESERET NEWS)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s only Democrat in Congress is crossing party lines to vote on an anti-abortion bill.
Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT) is one of only 2 Democrats so far to try and help force a vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act joining Daniel Lipinski of Illinois.
The 197 Republicans in the house are trying to utilize a seldom-used House procedure to forces a vote on the measure in the Democratic-controlled House after Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has refused to allow a vote on the bill.
The procedure would allow a vote to be called if a majority of 218 lawmakers sign a petition. The Associated Press reports that Republican aides say they expect all 197 Republicans to sign but that would fall short of the 218 necessary to secure a majority, and they are unlikely to secure the 21 Democratic votes.
As of Wednesday morning, the petition had reached 193 signatures including the two Democrats.
McAdams told Utah Policy that he signed the petition to have an important debate on the bill. He says he believes in the sanctity of life, and abortion is too common in America.
This is something Utah’s 3 other Republican representatives agree with. John Curtis is a sponsor of the Born Alive Act and Chris Stewart tweeted last night it’s time to end infanticide.
We’ve called for unanimous consent on this legislation 25 times and each time been blocked by Democrats. I’m proud to be a sponsor of the ‘Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act’ & to sign the discharge petition to force a vote on this important legislation. #EndInfanticide https://t.co/FACrAv7xTJ
— Rep. John Curtis (@RepJohnCurtis) April 2, 2019
Today, I will proudly sign @SteveScalise discharge petition to force floor consideration of the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act. This is the chance for each representative to be held accountable and for us to #EndInfanticide.
— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) April 2, 2019
The House voted on the born-alive bill in January 2018 where it passed 241 – 183 when Republicans still held the majority. During that vote, six Democrats crossed party lines to support the legislation, though Tim Walz (D-MN.), who later apologized saying he voted mistakenly.
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) said as reported by National Review “Unfortunately, Pelosi has been strong-arming a lot of people away from this bill,” Scalise said. “I think it’s going to be a grassroots movement all across the country of people who think it’s against American values to allow babies who are born alive to be killed. . . . A lot of members are going to be asked why they haven’t signed on, and not only why they haven’t signed, but when they’re going to sign.”
A Recent Rasmussen poll showed nearly 70 percent of Americans believe doctors should be required to care for children born alive after a failed abortion procedure.
