President Trump announced yesterday that he will sign a “born alive” Executive Order, defending the right to life of babies who survive abortion. SPUC’s Daniel Frampton said: “Once again, President Trump enhances his record as America’s most pro-life president ever, as well as offering pro-life Americans a genuine choice at the upcoming November election. SPUC hopes and prays that the USA chooses life.”
President Trump made the announcement in a recorded video message to the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday: “Today I am announcing that I will be signing the born alive Executive Order to ensure that all precious babies born alive, no matter their circumstances, receive the medical care that they deserve. This is our sacrosanct moral duty”.
The announcement followed the failed effort to gain legislative approval for the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, seeking to provide infants with the medical care that babies, born under any other circumstance, are entitled to receive in the USA.
Although the previous 2002 Born Alive Infants Protection Act, signed into law by President George Bush, applied the definition “human being” and “person” to all newborns, there are currently no penalties for doctors who refuse appropriate care to abortion survivors.
President Trump’s Executive Order may implement a fine and a prison sentence of up to five years for doctors who fail in their duty to provide abortion survivors with medical care.
Abortion survivors
According to The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 143 abortion survivors died between 2003 and 2014, though it is thought that the real number is much higher.
The CDC also reported that of those 143 infants, nearly 50% were alive for at least four hours, while six lived for more than a day.
Recently, SPUC reported on the story of abortion survivor Melissa Ohden, 42, who was discarded as medical waste and left to die after surviving the abortion procedure that was intended to kill her.
John Deighan, CEO of SPUC Scotland, said: “Testimonies regarding abortion survival reinforce the reality that more than one person is involved in an abortion procedure. It is time to raise public awareness regarding abortion survival and ensure the truth about this issue is brought to light.”
President Trump’s Executive Order will ensure that survivors such as Melissa Ohden are protected.
What is an Executive Order?
An executive order is a written directive from the president to the federal government. It does not require the approval of the U.S. Congress. A president also has the right to veto any congressional attempt to reject his order, though such directives may still be subject to a legal review.
Should President Trump lose the November election, the new president has the power to rescind the “born alive” Executive Order.
The Catholic vote
Speaking for the first time to the The National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, President Trump said: “Catholics of all backgrounds share the love of Christ with the most vulnerable, as they care for the elderly, the homeless, and neighbours in need. Our nation is strong because of Catholics and all people of faith.”
Daniel Frampton said: “Although President Trump’s Executive Order may face a legal challenge, his action gives pro-life Catholics even more reason to vote for him this November.
“The suggested nomination of a pro-life Catholic to the Supreme Court, as reported by SPUC, in the wake of the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, would complete a remarkable pro-life week for the President.”