Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill titled the “Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021.” This vote was largely along party lines, with every Republican and only one Democrat, Rep. Cuellar (D-TX), voting against the harmful bill. This piece of legislation is one of the most pro-abortion bills to have ever passed the House.
Speaker Pelosi brought this bill to the House floor as a direct response to the lifesaving Texas Heartbeat Act (SB8) that went into effect at the beginning of September.
What is the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021?
The Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021 removes all restrictions and limits on abortion and allows for abortion up to the point of birth. Additionally, this bill removes all pro-life protections at the federal and state levels and eliminates a state’s ability to legislate on abortion. This bill also fails to protect the conscience of American taxpayers and would force taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions. Longstanding pro-life protections such as the Hyde Amendment and the Weldon Amendment would be removed.
Despite the bill’s name, vulnerable women and families will only be put more at risk if the Women’s Health Protection Act were to ever become law. Additionally, abortion is not healthcare. If human dignity is given to each person when created in the womb, then abortion is not only an assault on the image of God but also causes irreparable harm on a vulnerable life. We believe abortion denies precious human lives both personhood and protection, and therefore cannot be considered as healthcare.
The role of government should be to protect these vulnerable, preborn babies, not to exploit them by removing restrictions on abortion that put their lives in grave danger.
This bill is extraordinarily pro-abortion and ought to shock and grieve our consciences.
How is the ERLC involved?
The ERLC is strongly opposed to this bill and any effort to legalize abortion. We urge the Senate not to pass this destructive piece of legislation. It would put thousands of vulnerable, preborn lives at risk and steamroll over the the consciences of millions of Americans who do not wish to pay for or be compelled to provide abortions.
The ERLC will always advocate for life before Congress, the courts, and in the public square, and we’re are working toward a day when abortion is both unnecessary and unthinkable. We desire to see a culture where mothers are supported and provided with resources and where life is honored and valued.
