Anti-Choice Lawmakers Seek to Undermine Roe v. Wade with Deceptive "Unborn Victims of Violence Act"
NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin joins pro-choice organizations and individuals across America today in urging U.S. Representatives to oppose H.R. 1997, the so-called “Unborn Victims of Violence Act.”
The “Unborn Victims of Violence Act” permits the prosecution of an additional, independent crime if an embryo or fetus is harmed during the commission of a federal crime and therefore represents a blatant attempt to assign personhood to embryos and fetuses. “Anti-choice lawmakers have long desired to recognize embryos and fetuses as persons under law, appreciating that this is powerful means to undermine abortion rights,” said Courtney Emery, an organization spokesperson.
Anti-choice sponsors initially claimed during debate in 1999 and 2001 that the “Unborn Victims of Violence Act” is simply a moderate crime bill without ramifications for reproductive rights. However, when pressed, these sponsors conceded that their chief purpose is to recognize the existence of a separate person where none currently exists in law.
Importantly, this legislation does not seek to diminish violent crime against women. In fact, protections for women are notably absent from this legislation, laying bare the sponsors’ agenda. NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin urges lawmakers to seek real solutions to the pervasive problem of violent crime against women. “All women are wronged when lawmakers deceptively portray a bill crafted to undermine abortion rights as a bill about violence against women,” said Emery.
NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin supports H.R. 2247, the Motherhood Protection Act, a bill providing for additional penalties for violent crimes against pregnant women without declaring embryos and fetuses separate persons under law.
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