NC Family Staff | September 28, 2021 | SHARE: 
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill last Friday that many have characterized as the most radical, pro-abortion disaster that our nation has seen since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade in 1973. In fact, H.R.3755–Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021 would essentially codify Roe v. Wade and create an absolute right to abortion in federal law. Friday’s vote fell along party lines, with only one Democrat—Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar—voting against the bill.
The dangers of this extreme pro-abortion bill cannot be overstated. Contrary to its name, this bill endangers women in innumerable ways. It removes countless restrictions and limits on abortion, allowing for abortion up to the point of birth so long as one “health care provider” determines that the “continuation of pregnancy would pose a risk” to the mother’s life or “health.” The definition of “health care provider” in the bill is extremely broad and includes certified nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Moreover, in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Doe v. Bolton, a companion case to Roe, “health” in the context of abortion is extremely broad and can include physical, emotional, psychological, and familial conditions, including the woman’s age.
Please contact NC Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis and urge them to OPPOSE H.R.3755–Women’s Health Protection Act.
Senator Richard Burr: (202) 224-3154
Senator Thom Tillis: (202) 224-6342
Furthermore, the Women’s Health Protection Act would strike down state level pro-life protections and prevent state legislatures from taking action regarding abortion. For example, North Carolina’s 72-hour waiting period before an abortion, our prohibition on sex-selective abortions, and our requirement that an abortion be performed by licensed physicians could all be overturned.
The bill also targets funding for abortions by removing pro-life protections such as the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal taxpayer dollars from supporting abortion, and the Weldon Amendment, which prevents taxpayer dollars from being used to discriminate on the basis of a health care entity’s refusal to provide, pay for, or refer women for abortion.
Thankfully, as the National Review reported, the bill is unlikely to receive the necessary votes to pass the U.S. Senate. The Senate is currently made up of 50 Republicans, 48 Democrats, and 2 Independents, and 60 votes are required to end a filibuster. Even some “pro-choice” Republican senators have expressed hesitation about the bill, such as Maine Senator Susan Collins, who commented that “parts of the bill are too ‘extreme’ for her,” and that “the bill would ‘severely weaken’ conscience rights by denying protections afforded by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”
NC Family joins many of our pro-life colleagues in condemning the Woman’s Health Protection Act. As the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission said, “The role of government should be to protect these vulnerable, preborn babies, not to exploit them by removing restrictions on abortion that put their lives in grave danger.”
