STATEMENT ON THE BORN-ALIVE ABORTION SURVIVORS PROTECT ACT

KRISTEN DAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DEMOCRATS FOR LIFE OF AMERICA

As a pro-life Democrat, I express disappointment that every U.S. Senate Democrat voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (BAASPA).

As Democrats, our party’s mission is to defend the vulnerable and advocate for those without a voice. We fight for workplace protections to ensure safe and fair working environments. We stand for immigrants seeking refuge, food, and shelter. We champion racial justice and protect those in disenfranchised and vulnerable communities.

BAASPA does not prohibit abortion. Instead, it provides critical protections for the most vulnerable infants — those who survive an attempted abortion. The bill ensures that doctors offer the same medical care to a newborn who survives an abortion as they would to any other newborn born at the same stage of development, prioritizing the child’s well-being and best interests.

We should not differentiate between a wanted child born at 26 weeks and an unwanted child who survives an abortion. Both deserve the same standard of care.

It’s heartbreaking to imagine these vulnerable children being denied the protections they so desperately need under the law. If we cannot come together to ensure their safety, we must ask ourselves: who truly deserves care? Imagine a child in need of urgent medical attention — should their fate depend on a doctor deciding whether to intervene? That is a question no society should leave unanswered. We owe it to every child to prioritize their dignity, well-being, and protection.

We must also remember the voices of abortion survivors, many of whom are now thriving adults because they received life-saving medical care. What message does society send about their worth and value when legal protections for infants born alive are removed? Denying these babies care is a denial of their inherent dignity and human rights. A doctor’s oath to “do no harm” must extend to all newborns, ensuring they receive the compassion and support they need in their most vulnerable moments.

The failure to affirm and protect the right to life, particularly for infants who have just entered this world, is profoundly troubling. Every newborn deserves the care, compassion, and protection necessary to thrive. Let us stand together to advocate for an end to infanticide and ensure that all children are given the chance they rightfully deserve.

Supporting BAASPA is a commitment to life, dignity, and the values we hold as a party dedicated to justice and compassion for the most vulnerable among us.