Gov. Scott Walker Signs Landmark Protection for Babies After 5 Months

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 20, 2015
Contact: Mallory Quigley, [email protected], 202-223-8073

Wisconsin is the 15th state to protect pain-capable babies

Washington, D.C – Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R) today signed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, compassionate legislation stopping abortions after five months, based on the child’s ability to feel pain. Gov. Walker sent an open letter in March in firm support of the legislation, saying: “I will sign that bill when it gets to my desk and support similar legislation on the federal level. I was raised to believe in the sanctity of life and I will always fight to protect it.”

SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser offered the following comment:

“From defunding America’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, to blocking abortion on-demand in the state health care exchanges, Governor Walker has consistently stood up to defend the unborn and their mothers. We thank him for following through on his commitment sign this human-centered legislation. His signature makes Wisconsin the 15th state to enact this popular, compassionate protection for babies capable of feeling pain.

“Americans are united in their desire to see the United States removed from the list of only seven nations to permit abortion after 20 weeks, more than halfway through pregnancy. The horrific video released last week exposing Planned Parenthood’s willingness to further commodify the unborn children they destroy – including babies beyond five months gestation – underlines the urgent need to pass federal legislation.”

SBA List worked with the bill’s sponsor Mary Lazich, State Senate President and member of the SBA List National Pro-Life Women’s Caucus, as well as other pro-life leaders to advance the bill. The group’s research arm, the Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI), also provided expert witnesses to testify before the joint House and Senate committee including Maureen Condic, Ph.D., Dr. Donna Harrison, and Dr. Sheila Page.

A November 2014 poll from Quinnipiac found that 60 percent of Americans, including 56 percent of Independents and 46 percent of Democrats, support the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Including Gov. Scott Walker, 13 GOP presidential candidates have publicly endorsed Pain-Capable legislation. 

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