Washington, DC – January 29, 2021….As Americans across the nation gather to stand for life, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today joined in their calls of protecting the unborn and most vulnerable among us. He is committed to upholding these values in Congress and has immediately taken action during the 117th Congress to defend the voiceless by supporting important pro-life legislation and initiatives.
Congressman Steve Womack said, “Every January, thousands of Americans join together to fight for the voiceless. While this year’s events may look different, the resounding message that all life is sacred will still be amplified across the nation. I stand with every Arkansan and advocate who continues to enshrine the value and dignity of every human being. At a time when we are seeing the new administration eliminate important pro-life protections, we must make our voices heard. Life is precious, and I will always defend the unborn in Congress.”
Congressman Womack has cosponsored and supported the following pro-life legislation and initiatives during the new House term:
Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act: The bill prohibits any person from performing an abortion on an unborn child who is 20 weeks or older. According to scientific research and evidence, an unborn child can feel pain at this post-fertilization age.
Born-Alive Abortion Survivor Protection Act: The legislation gives all babies a fighting chance at life by requiring healthcare practitioners to provide medical care to any infant that survives an abortion or attempted abortion. It imposes strong criminal penalties for medical professionals who fail to provide such care and makes clear that no mother will be held liable or prosecuted.
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act: This legislation would create a permanent, government-wide prohibition on funding for abortion services or health coverage, so that not one taxpayer dollar goes toward the destruction of innocent human life.
Defund Planned Parenthood Act: This bill would place a one-year moratorium on all sources of federal funding for Planned Parenthood. It would also ensure that neither the parent company, its affiliates, nor associated clinics, will be able to apply for or be reimbursed federal dollars for any other medical services, unless they certify that they will not perform abortions at any of their facilities. The legislation authorizes $235 million to be reallocated to the thousands of comprehensive community health centers that do not perform abortions.
Life at Conception Act: The bill declares that life begins at the moment of conception and seeks to entitle the unborn to legal protection under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
Protecting Life in Crisis Act: The bill prohibits any funds that are authorized or appropriated to be utilized for COVID–19 pandemic response from being used for abortions or abortion insurance coverage.
Memorializing the Unborn: This legislation would memorialize the 22nd of January as the “Day of Tears” to honor the millions of unborn children lost to abortion since the January 22, 1973, U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. It would also encourage Americans to lower the nation’s flag to half-staff in mourning each year on this date.
Hyde Amendment Protection Letter: Congressman Womack signed aletter to House and Senate leadership expressing opposition to any efforts to repeal the Hyde Amendment – a 40-year-old provision that bans taxpayer-funded abortions – and other pro-life appropriations provisions.
Mexico City Policy Letter: Congressman Womack sent a letter to President Biden urging him to reverse his misguided policy decisionto discontinue the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance (PLGHA) policy, formally the Mexico City Policy, which prevents federal dollars from going to foreign NGOs that perform or promote abortions. With President Biden’s recent action, taxpayer dollars will now go towards funding abortions abroad.
Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act: The bill would require states to report abortion totals annually to the CDC in order to receive targeted Medicaid family planning service funds. At the moment, reporting is voluntary. This will allow for an accurate count of how many abortions and abortion survivors there are each year.
Taxpayer Conscience Protection Act: The bill would require states to report how Medicaid funds are spent on organizations that perform, promote, or refer for abortion services in order to provide greater accountability of taxpayer funds that go to the abortion industry.
Congressman Womack is a staunch defender of life and also recently received an A+ rating on the Susan B. Anthony List for his strong pro-life legislative record.
Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
