Prohibiting Late-Term Abortions: A Call to Protect Life
In a deeply troubling move, Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, often seen as moderates, recently blocked federal legislation aimed at protecting infants born alive during failed abortion attempts. This legislation, championed by Senator Ben Sasse, arose in response to shocking remarks from a trained pediatrician describing the process: an infant born alive during an attempted abortion would be kept “comfortable” while a decision is made about their fate.
The sheer detachment with which such practices are discussed is alarming. Referring to a living, breathing child as an "infant" while suggesting that state law could permit their death after birth should disturb us all. What’s even more shocking is the broader acceptance of policies that allow abortions up to the moment of birth, a practice embraced by some states, including Maryland and New York. This extremism has crossed into the realm of infanticide—the killing of babies who survive abortion attempts.
The Reality of Partial-Birth Abortions
Hearing about partial-birth abortions is enough to horrify anyone. In this procedure, babies are delivered feet-first, but before the head is born, the doctor inserts a tube into the baby’s neck, removing the brain to deliver a lifeless child. This is why so many, including young men like me, have supported banning such inhumane practices. These children, often viable outside the womb, deserve protection from such brutality.
The Fight Against Late-Term Abortion Extremism
Most states currently restrict abortions after the second trimester unless the mother’s life is at risk. Yet, Maryland’s Democratic Party has moved to embrace extreme late-term abortion policies that defy logic and compassion. These policies strip away protections for the most defenseless among us—unborn children who can feel pain, process information, and breathe on their own by 20 weeks.
This extremism mirrors what I’ve witnessed globally in countries like China and India, where abortion is weaponized as a tool of oppression, often targeting women and marginalized groups. Having worked across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, I have consistently taught that human rights come with responsibilities—especially toward the weakest in our societies.
A National Call for Compassionate Action
During a State of the Union address, President Trump made an urgent plea to Congress to prohibit late-term abortions, emphasizing the dignity of every human life. He stated:
“To defend the dignity of every person, I am asking Congress to pass legislation that will prohibit the late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in the mother’s womb. Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life. And let us reaffirm a fundamental truth: All children—born and unborn—are made in the holy image of God.”
This call is both sensible and compassionate. It echoes the values of the vast majority of Americans, who believe in protecting children capable of experiencing pain at 20 weeks and beyond.
Building a Culture of Life
The Unborn Child Protection Act, passed by the House in 2017 but later blocked in the Senate, sought to ban late-term abortions for children who feel pain. It included exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. Supporting such legislation is not only humane but also a moral imperative.
A 20-week-old fetus exhibits hallmarks of life—intelligence, the ability to process pain, and the capacity to breathe unaided. These are undeniable signs of human dignity and worth, which demand our respect and protection.
Now is the time to build a culture that values all lives—across all ethnicities, genders, abilities, and stages of development, whether born or unborn. Prohibiting late-term abortions is a vital step in affirming the sanctity of life and upholding the values of compassion and justice for all.