by Carly Fiorina
About sixty years ago, a decision was made that changed my life. My husband’s mother chose life. She was told that her pregnancy would be difficult and Doctors told her she needed to have an abortion. Being a woman of intense faith and courage, my husband’s mother continued her pregnancy. I cannot imagine how different my life would be had she made a different choice.
Unfortunately, women are faced with this decision every day. These women deserve our empathy, support, and never our judgment or condemnation. They deserve options, ones that are available now more than ever due to advances in modern medicine.
Science supports those of us that believe in the sanctity of life. At 20 weeks, or five months into a pregnancy, an unborn child feels pain. At 20 weeks of life, an unborn child can suck his thumb, yawn, stretch, and make faces. An unborn child at 20 weeks IS a human life. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S.1670) protects the unborn in limiting abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, it is legislation that is vital in protecting the dignity of life.
This is legislation that, polls show, 60% of Americans support. Despite our disputes throughout this nation on abortion, most Americans recognize that these procedures are cruel, are tragically most often elective, and must stop. We are a compassionate society and must apply our principles to all, not just the born.
Since 2010, 13 states have enacted limits on abortion after 20 weeks. I applaud these states, and urge the passing of this compassionate bill to protect those lives that are most sacred and vulnerable.
I am proud to support the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and urge both houses of Congress to hold swift votes on this life-saving legislation.
