Republicans Renew Efforts to Protect Babies Born After Failed Abortions

Republican lawmakers are reviving efforts to establish federal standards of care for babies born alive after failed abortions. For years, Republicans have tried to pass legislation requiring medical professionals to provide equal care to abortion survivors as that required for other newborns. While existing law establishes the legal personhood of all born-alive infants, there are no federal requirements concerning their care after birth. Democrats have blocked attempts to change that. Now, with control of Congress and the White House soon to follow, Republicans might have a chance at success. “No child should be denied medical care simply because they are ‘unwanted,’” Sen. John Lankford (R-Okla.) said in announcing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act on Jan. 16....