Alabama GOP Congressmen all sign on to co-sponsor pro-life fetal pain bill

WASHINGTON — A pro-life bill considered by Congress Wednesday has received the support of every Republican member of Alabama’s U.S. House delegation.

The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would ban abortions after 20 weeks of gestation across the nation, is being voted on by the House Wednesday, prompting a social media campaign by pro-life and conservative groups.

The bill passed the House on a bipartisan vote of 242-184.

A majority of Americans support protecting unborn children after 20 weeks. #TheyFeelPain http://t.co/mG2nbCKBkj https://t.co/aAarpgzwXF

— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) May 13, 2015

House is debating #HR36, which would ban elective abortions after 5 months. KEY VOTE YES http://t.co/EF9varOuCX #theyfeelpain #haction

— Heritage Action (@Heritage_Action) May 13, 2015

Several of Alabama’s delegates joined in using the #TheyFeelPain hashtag.

The US is one of only 7 countries, along w/ China and North Korea, that allows abortions after 20 weeks. Let's change that! #TheyFeelPain

— Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) May 13, 2015

If we won't stop abortions at 20 weeks- when #theyfeelpain– where will we draw the line? https://t.co/f2SLwVtu4Q

— Rep. Martha Roby (@RepMarthaRoby) May 13, 2015

Proud that all six Alabama Republican Congressman are co-sponsors of #hr36. w/@RepMarthaRoby, @RepByrne @Robert_Aderholt #theyfeelpain

— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) May 13, 2015

I will proudly be casting a vote in favor today. #HR36 pic.twitter.com/VtS2Vtjoev

— Rep. Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) May 13, 2015

The bill, HR36, was originally scheduled to come to the floor on January 22nd, but was stalled when some members raised concerns regarding their interpretations of reporting provisions in the legislation.

“There is abundant evidence – summarized in the findings of the bill – that by this point in development (and probably earlier), the unborn child has the capacity to experience excruciating pain during typical abortion procedures,” said a the National Right to Life Committee in a letter to members of Congress. “On this basis, the bill prohibits abortion after that point, except when an acute physical condition endangers the life of the mother, or in cases of rape, or cases of incest against a minor. The revised bill spells out the procedural requirements that abortionists must follow when performing an abortion under these exceptions, including seeking to preserve the life of the child whenever this is feasible.”

Should the legislation make it through the Senate and to the President’s desk it would possibly face a veto, as President Obama has long sided with pro-choice groups on the issue.