On Friday, Congressman Keith Self and Congressman Andy Biggs introduced the Ensuring Justice for Victims of Partial-Birth Abortion Act, in order to strengthen enforcement of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 (PBABA). This bill is supported by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, National Right to Life, and March for Life Action.
The need for stronger enforcement of this law arose when five babies, known as the “DC-Five,” were aborted and dumped outside of the Washington Surgi-Clinic abortion facility in a cardboard box. Photographic evidence indicates that at least one of these babies suffered a partial-birth abortion, a gruesome late-term procedure in which the abortionist partially delivers the baby before puncturing its skull with a sharp object to kill it and fully extract it from the womb. Instead of immediately investigating the cause of death, the FBI arrested one of the women who discovered the bodies.
On March 14, 2024, Congressman Keith Self sent a letter to DC’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Francisco J. Diaz, demanding an independent investigation and autopsies of the babies. In spite of his request and repeated calls for an investigation by other Members of Congress, DC authorities refused to comply.
“The DC-Five were innocent babies weeks from birth before their lives were brutally and barbarically snuffed out,” said Congressman Keith Self. “DC authorities can no longer turn a blind eye to the law. I am hopeful that between President Trump’s pro-life agenda and this bill that strengthens enforcement of the PBABA, the rule of law will be enforced as it pertains to the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.”
Specifically, Congressman Self’s bill will instruct the U.S. Attorney General to investigate and take appropriate enforcement action for violations of the PBABA, including for the DC-Five, and report such investigation results and enforcement actions to Congress. Furthermore, the Department of Justice will be tasked with producing a yearly report detailing violations of, and steps taken to, enforce the PBABA. Healthcare practitioners and employees who have knowledge of violations of the PBABA will also be required to report such violations to law enforcement authorities. Finally, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will be directed to report on ways to strengthen enforcement of the PBABA.
“In 2003, Congress enacted the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act to end the gruesome and inhumane practice of partial-birth abortion. Yet Biden’s Department of Justice failed to investigate a suspected case of partial birth abortion right in the nation’s capital. The Ensuring Justice for Victims of Partial-Birth Abortion Act aims to fix this by demanding enforcement and investigation so that babies harmed by this brutal procedure get the justice they deserve. Thank you, Rep. Self, for strengthening enforcement of this important law to protect our most vulnerable.” –Hon. Marilyn Musgrave, Vice President of Government Affairs, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
“Partial-birth abortion is a more accurate description of what happens during an intact dilation and extraction abortion, a gruesome procedure used to end the life of a fully developed preborn baby. Legislation to ban this particular abortion method originated with National Right to Life and was sponsored by then-Florida Congressman Charles Canady. Partial-birth abortions were banned by Congress in 2003. National Right to Life fully supports an investigation into the allegations that this procedure has been illegally used and supports efforts to strengthen enforcement of the law.” –Carol Tobias, National Right to Life President
This bill was originally cosponsored by Members Robert Aderholt, Mary Miller, Doug LaMalfa, Daniel Webster, Randy K. Weber, Andy Harris, Riley Moore, Eric Burlison, Michael Guest, Andy Ogles, Brian Babin, and Mark Harris.
Read the full bill text HERE.