On Friday, Congressman Eric Burlison introduced the Life at Conception Act, to affirm the fundamental right to life for every human being, born and unborn. This landmark legislation declares that unborn children are “persons” under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, allowing their right to life to be legally recognized and protected.
“Every life is a sacred gift from God, deserving of dignity and protection from the moment of conception,” said Congressman Burlison. “The Life at Conception Act uses Congress’ constitutional authority to define personhood, fulfilling our moral and legal obligation to safeguard the lives of the unborn.”
The 14th Amendment states, “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” The Life at Conception Act ensures this promise applies to the unborn, recognizing them as persons with equal protection under the law.
Congressman Burlison pointed out that the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade but left unresolved the vital question of personhood. “This Act fills that gap by making it clear that unborn children are human beings entitled to protection under the Constitution,” he said.
Medical advances in recent decades have only strengthened the case for life beginning at conception. Science confirms that a unique human life begins at fertilization, with distinct DNA, a heartbeat that can be detected as early as five weeks, and measurable brain activity by eight weeks.
The Life at Conception Act has garnered support from legal experts, medical professionals, and pro-life advocates nationwide.
“I am strongly pro-life and will always fight to protect the lives of the unborn,” said Burlison. “My record is clear, both in Missouri and Washington, D.C., I have consistently voted to protect the life of the child and the health of the mother. I will continue to do so moving forward.”
Cosponsors (68): Reps. Dale Strong (AL-5), Warren Davidson (OH-8), Mark Green (TN-7), Mike Bost (IL-12), Daniel Webster (FL-11), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Josh Brecheen (OK-2), John Moolenaar (MI-2), Ben Cline (VA-6), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Darrell Issa (CA-48), Michael Guest (MS-3), Sam Graves (MO-6), Randy Feenstra (IA-4), Robert Aderholt (AL-4), Mike Collins (GA-10), Mary Miller (IL-15), Barry Moore (AL-1), Rich McCormick (GA-7), Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), Eli Crane (AZ-2), Andy Harris (MD-1), Austin Scott (GA-8), Ron Estes (KS-4), Virginia Foxx (NC-5), Mike Ezell (MA-4), Ronny Jackson (TX-13). Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Carol Miller (WV-1), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Russ Fulcher (ID-1), Jake Ellzey (TX-6), Richard Hudson (NC-9), John Carter (TX-31), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Andrew Clyde (GA-9), David Kustoff (TN-8), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Adrian Smith (NE-3), Roger Williams (TX-25), Rick Allen (GA-12), Diana Harshbarger (TN-1), Randy Weber (TX-14), Trent Kelly (MS-1), Andy Ogles (TN-5), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Burgess Owens (UT-4), Pat Fallon (TX-4), Mike Rogers (AL-3), Mark Messmer (IN-8), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Glenn Thompson (PA-15), Brian Babin (TX-36), John Rose (TN-6), Mark Harris (NC-8), Clay Higgins (LA-3), Nathaniel Moran (TX-1), Sheri Biggs (SC-3), Riley Moore (WV-1), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), John Rutherford (FL-5), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Brian Mast (FL-21), Gary Palmer (AL-6), Jeff Crank (CO-5), John McGuire (VA-5), Jim Baird (IN-4)
Group Support: National Pro-Life Alliance, Students for Life Action, Catholic Vote, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Vitae Foundation, Heritage Action
Group Statements:
National Pro-Life Alliance
“For more than twenty years, members of the National Pro-Life Alliance have championed the Life at Conception Act. We are honored that Congressman Burlison is taking the lead on a bill that is now more important than ever due to the many loopholes that abortionists are using to get around state protections for the unborn. The Life at Conception Act reaffirms the original intention of the writers of the 14th Amendment by declaring that the word “person” includes all persons from the moment of conception.”
Student for Life Action & Students for Life of America – Kristan Hawkins, President
“Recognizing that a unique human being begins at the moment of conception, the Life at Conception Act implements equal protection for every human being from their first moments of existence. What makes this measure the gold standard for recognizing the value of every life is the acknowledgement that the legal rights of preborn children are rooted in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. This profound truth is echoed in the 2024 GOP Platform and is a message that Students for Life Action (SFLAction) celebrates and recommends in legislative findings across the board. Arbitrarily leaving some human beings outside of the protections of the law is a mistake that this nation does not need to make again. SFLAction gives this legislation our strongest endorsement and will score both votes and sponsorships of the bill.”
Vitae Foundation – Brandy Meeks, President and CEO
“Vitae Foundation fully supports the efforts of Representative Eric Burlison (MO) to guarantee the right to life for all pre-born human beings under the 14th amendment of the United States Constitution. This is the most basic and fundamental of all rights, and we wholeheartedly believe that life inside the womb should be brought under this protection.”
