A new bill backed by Republican lawmakers would require states to disclose all the babies born after failed abortion attempts.
The Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2019 is sponsored by Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and would require more comprehensive data surrounding abortion to be collected, according to National Review.
“The American people deserve to know how many babies are born alive during abortion attempts in our country,” Cotton told National Review. “This is life-or-death information, yet most states don’t collect it. Our bill would require states to report accurate and complete data about abortion, including instances where babies are born alive during abortions.”
This new legislation comes after Republicans have tried many times to get Democrats to support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would compel doctors to provide medical care to infants who survive abortion attempts. Progressive lawmakers in the House of Representatives, though, have refused more than 70 times to bring the bill to the floor for debate or a vote.
Democrats have repeatedly argued that scenario doesn’t happen that much and the proposal is unnecessary.
If the current bill sponsored by Ernst and Cotton moved forward, however, we would know exactly how often it doesn’t — or does — happen.
“America’s main source of abortion data comes from a biased think-tank that only collects information on a voluntary basis,” said Ernst. “That’s unacceptable. Why wouldn’t we want the most reliable and complete data possible surrounding such an important issue?”
“Requiring comprehensive reporting from every state,” she continued, “will finally give Americans — regardless of your stance on the issue — an accurate look at abortion trends in our country.”
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), who co-sponsored a companion bill in the House, argued neither voters nor lawmakers really know how many infants survive failed abortions.
“In fact, we don’t even have reliable information on the number of abortions performed, because states are not compelled to provide those numbers,” he explained. “This bill would rectify that. Congress needs this information in order to make sound policy decisions. Equally as important, the American people deserve to know.”