Congressional Committee: Ban Abortions After Baby’s Heartbeat

A U.S. House subcommittee is scheduled to consider a bill Wednesday to protect unborn babies from abortion once they have a detectable heartbeat.

U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, introduced the Heartbeat Protection Act earlier this year. KIOW News reports the bill, which has 170 co-sponsors, will be debated Wednesday in a House Judiciary subcommittee.

“Since Roe v. Wade was unconstitutionally decided in 1973, nearly 60 million innocent babies’ lives have been ended by the abortion industry, all with a rubber stamp by the federal government,” King said in a statement. “Human life, beginning at the moment of conception, is sacred in all of its forms and we must protect the lives of voiceless innocents.”

The bill would prohibit abortions when the unborn baby’s heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy. It would allow an exception when the mother’s life is in jeopardy; however, the exception applies to physical risks only, not “psychological or emotional conditions,” according to Bustle. Abortionists who violate the measure could be punished with up to five years in prison.

“The Heartbeat Protection Act, H.R. 490, will require all physicians, before conducting an abortion, to detect the heartbeat of the unborn child and if a heartbeat is detected, the baby is protected,” King said. “I welcome this opportunity to have my legislation given in depth consideration by Congress and to bring attention to the importance of preserving each of these precious lives.”

Many years ago, scientific research established that an unborn baby’s heart starts beating around 21 days after fertilization – usually before the woman knows she is pregnant. Many sources on fetal development report this, though others link to evidence that the heartbeat begins at about 18 days. Late last year, researchers at the University of Oxford found evidence that an unborn baby’s heart may begin beating even earlier – by 16 days after conception, according to the Daily Mail .

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