Pro-life leaders are applauding the US House of Representatives for scheduling a vote this week on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which bans abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy.

The measure was supposed to be voted on back in January on the eve of the annual March for Life in Washington. But several influential Republican lawmakers blocked the vote, demanding changes in the bill’s treatment of rape survivors who became pregnant as a result of that crime. The vote is tentatively scheduled to occur on May 13, the anniversary of the conviction of abortionist Kermit Gosnell, currently serving life in prison for three convictions for first-degree murder. He killed three infants born alive during attempted abortions.

“The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is of critical importance in saving up to 13,000 babies a year from a gruesomely painful death from late term abortion,” said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. “It also is based on the idea that Congress has a compelling interest in protecting unborn babies from experiencing pain. Congress should act to stop this cruel practice.”

Pro-choice critics of the measure say it is not based on credible scientific evidence.

With the House and Senate under Republican control, the odds of passage of H.R. 36 are much improved. But the likelihood of a veto from President Barack Obama remains very high.

Source: Timothy C. Morgan, www.christianitytoday.com