WASHINGTON — New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan decried the
Senate's failure to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which
would have banned abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, and called on senators
to "rethink" their stance on late-term abortions.
The cardinal, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life
Activities, called the vote "appalling" in a statement released late
Jan. 29.
"The Senate's rejection of this common-sense legislation is
radically out of step with most Americans," the statement added.
Although the bill received 51 votes, under Senate rules it needed
60 votes to end debate and move to a final vote. Three Democrats joined 48
Republicans in supporting the measure. The final vote was 51-46.
Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Bob Casey of
Pennsylvania and Joe Donnelly of Indiana supported the bill, while Republican
Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted against it.
Several senators who opposed the bill said it was
unconstitutional during debate on the floor before the vote.
The House of Representatives passed the same bill Oct. 3.
President Donald Trump said he would have signed the measure if it had passed
both houses of Congress.
The legislation would have punished doctors who perform an
abortion after 20 weeks, except in cases of rape, incest or if the life of the
mother is threatened. Physicians could face up to five years in prison. Women
seeking abortions would not be penalized under the bill.
The bill is based on the finding that an unborn child can feel
pain at 20 weeks of development. Similar laws are on the books in 17 states and
three more states ban abortion after 20 weeks for other reasons.
Polling has found that a majority of Americans, including
Democrats, supported such legislation.
Cardinal Dolan expressed concern that abortions carried out in
the second half of pregnancy usually involve dismemberment of the unborn child
and pose dangers to the mother.
"Furthermore, the United States is currently one of only
seven countries that allows abortions beyond 20 weeks," he said, naming
Canada, China, Netherlands, North Korea, Singapore and Vietnam as the other
six.
Pro-life advocates echoed the cardinal's disappointment in the
vote.
"Americans should be outraged that pro-abortion Senate
Democrats refuse to protect unborn babies who can feel pain," Carol
Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said in a statement.
"We will keep coming back to the Senate again and again
until it passes this bill," she said.
Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life, called it "a
disgrace that our Senate has once again failed to pass a bill that reflects the
hearts and minds of the national pro-life consensus."
Trump said in a statement late Jan. 29 that "it is
disappointing" that the bill failed.
"We must defend those who cannot defend themselves,"
the statement continued. "I urge the Senate to reconsider its decision and
pass legislation that will celebrate, cherish, and protect life."