FLORIDA STANDS FOR LIFE!
Florida is a pro-life state. Governor DeSantis and the Florida legislature respect unborn life and do all they can to protect it.
But because surrounding states have limits on late-term abortion that Florida does not have, Florida has become by default an abortion epicenter in the southeast.
The “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” would put Florida on par with its surrounding states, and also draw it closer to international human rights standards. The United States is one of only seven countries in the world that permit elective abortion past 20 weeks.
It’s time for Florida to cut this common tie with countries like China and North Korea!
Twenty-three American states have already passed such a law to assert a state duty to protect their most vulnerable. Florida must be next!
Why Florida Must Stop Late-Term Abortions
The states surrounding Florida have all passed a 20-week Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (TX, LA, MS, AL, GA). This makes Florida the default late-term abortion epicenter of the southeast. A surge in out of state license plates in Pensacola and north Florida abortion centers has been reported over the last two years.
Florida can end its late-term abortion problem by passing the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act”. It will stop late-term abortion after five months of pregnancy – a point when science shows unborn children can feel pain.
Like many other states, the State of Florida can confidently assert a compelling interest in protecting these unborn children from the time they are capable of feeling pain in the womb.
The science is clear – babies in the womb can feel pain at least by 20 weeks gestation. Late-term abortion inflicts horrific pain on these unborn children.
Perinatal medicine now treats unborn babies for dozens of conditions. Pain medication for unborn patients is routinely administered as standard medical practice.
To prevent these children from experiencing the pain of being aborted, the state of Florida should ban abortion starting at 20 weeks gestation (currently there is a ban on abortion in Florida only at viability – approx. 24 weeks post-fertilization).
A 20-week pain capable law would also move Florida law closer to international human rights standards. The United States is one of only seven countries in the world that permit elective abortion past 20 weeks. Twenty-three American states have already passed such a law to assert a state duty to protect their most vulnerable.
Florida citizens support limits on late-term abortion. Polling conducted in Florida in 2019 by the Terrance Group found that Florida voters broadly support prohibiting late abortions after five months of pregnancy. Polling data from as recent as February 2019 shows that 76% of Florida voters—including 64% of Democrats, 75% of Independents, 77% of women, and 53% of self-described pro-choice voters—support a law limiting late-term abortions (only 24% would allow late-term abortions).
Victims
In 2019 there were 915 late term abortions in Florida at 20 weeks or later. That’s the equivalent of 15 school buses full of children missing in Florida in just one year. This puts Florida in the company of New York and New Jersey in the top tier of states that allow late-term abortion.
Old notions that unborn babies cannot feel pain are now refuted by a growing body of scientific evidence. The published scientific literature shows that unborn babies can experience pain at 20 weeks probable gestational age.
What They're Saying...
“Florida law still allows barbaric late-term abortions. That puts us with only six other countries on the globe that do, including China and North Korea. Florida is pro-life and it’s high time we prove it!”
– Carol Moore
“Florida has become a destination state not just for vacations but sadly also for late-term abortions. Given the legislative pro-life majorities we have worked very hard for in Florida, now is the time for our elected officials to act to protect women and their unborn children by adopting the Fetal Pain bill.”
– John Stemberger
“By 20 weeks, an unborn child can respond to stimuli including music and his or her mother’s voice. These children can also feel pain. It is shameful that hundreds of children at this stage and older are aborted every year in Florida. Let us say “no” to late term abortions and “yes” to life-affirming alternatives that support and protect both mother and child.”
– Ingrid Delgado
``The dark warning clouds that moved across América after the 2020 Presidential contest, as well as the Georgia Senate runoff elections, foretell how much more dangerous the womb could become for unborn babies. Florida’s political leadership must fulfill the role of stateswomen and statesmen by showing America they will stand firm against late-term abortions by adopting the Florida “Fetal Pain” legislation.``
– William H. (Bill) Bunkley
``Our Declaration of Independence speaks of ‘Life’ as our first ‘inalienable Right’. It is time for Florida to protect unborn children and to stop the late-term abortions in our state. 915 late-term abortions in Florida in 2019 places us third in the nation for the number of abortions, closely behind New York and New Jersey. This is unfathomable!``
– Mary Lib Stevenson
76% of Florida voters agree!
Polling released in 2019 shows 76% of Florida voters – including 64% of Democrats, 75% of Independents, 77% of women, and 53% of self-described pro-choice voters – support a law prohibiting late-term abortions (only 24% support allowing late-term abortions).
Take Action Now
Tell Governor DeSantis, your state Senator and your state Representative to stop late-term abortion in Florida! The Florida legislature runs through April 2021. They must act to protect babies and their mothers from brutal late-term abortions.
Photo of Florida State Capitol by Michael Rivera on Wikimedia Commons
