Senior Democratic lawmakers took to Twitter shortly after the House passed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires doctors to provide care for infants born alive after a failed abortion, to criticize the Republicans who supported the “extreme” bill.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, and Vice President Kamala Harris were among those who responded.
“Today, instead of joining Democrats to condemn all political violence, [House Republicans] chose to push their extreme anti-choice agenda,” Pelosi tweeted Wednesday.Â
She added, “Democrats believe everyone deserves the freedom to access reproductive health services – without fear of violence, intimidation or harassment.”
Pelosi, who retired from Democratic leadership after Republicans retook the majority in the 2022 midterm elections, repeated her remarks in a second tweet.
“Democrats will always defend reproductive freedoms against extreme Republicans who disrespect a woman’s right to choose the size and timing of her family,” she said. And, “These are serious, personal decisions that must be made by women guided by faith, physician and family — not by politicians.”
Schumer, who did not vote on the bill as he is a senator, responded similarly.
“The MAGA Republican-controlled House is putting on display their extreme views on women’s health with legislation that does not even have the support of the American people,” he wrote.
The vice president also made her opinion known.
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act says any infant born alive following an abortion attempt or that survives the abortion is a “legal person for all purposes under the laws of the United States.”
Doctors and healthcare workers would have to keep the child alive as a “reasonably diligent and conscientious healthcare practitioner would render to any other child born alive.” A child born at an abortion clinic that does not have adequate care facilities would be responsible for transporting the child to a hospital.
It is already illegal for doctors and nurses to deny care to individuals.
Nearly every House Democrat on Wednesday voted against the legislation, which passed 220-210.
