Rounds Introduces the Life at Conception Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced the Life at Conception Act, legislation to legally recognize the right to life by extending 14th Amendment protections to unborn children.

The Life at Conception Act clarifies in statute that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being at all stages of life. This is defined as the moment of conception, or any other moment at which an individual comes into being.

"Life at all stages is a gift from God and should be treated with dignity," said Rounds. "The Life at Conception Act would protect the right to life in the Constitution to human beings at all stages, including in the womb. I'm pleased to be leading this legislation in the Senate with the support of my colleagues to protect the sanctity of human life."

This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.). Representative Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) leads companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

"Life is precious and begins at the moment of conception, and it is our solemn duty to make certain the rights of every unborn child are enshrined into law," said Blackburn. "As people around the world come together for the March for Life in D.C., I am pleased to join Senator Rounds in introducing the Life at Conception Act to ensure equal protection under the 14th Amendment for every human being at all stages of life."

"One of the foundational rights that America is built on is the right to life," said Daines. "This basic Constitutional principle safeguards the right to life for everyone in our nation- including unborn children. I'm proud to work with Senator Rounds and our colleagues on the Life at Conception Act, which protects our most vulnerable by affirming the biological truth that life begins at conception."

"We have a moral responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us," said Crapo. "By recognizing life at conception, we affirm that the right to life is fundamental and universal."

"The life of every child is precious and worthy of our protection," said Hagerty. "We cannot deny the protection of the Fourteenth Amendment to the most vulnerable among us. I am pleased to support Senator Rounds' legislation."

"The right to life is enshrined in the Constitution and is our most fundamental right," said Cramer. "We know life begins at conception, and the Life at Conception Act recognizes this obvious and powerful truth."

"Every life is a sacred gift from God, worthy of dignity and protection from the moment of conception," said Burlison. "The Life at Conception Act affirms Congress's constitutional authority to define personhood and protect unborn children. I'm grateful to Senator Rounds for introducing the Senate companion bill and remain committed to defending life, as my record in Missouri and Washington clearly shows."

This legislation is endorsed by the National Pro-Life Alliance, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, the Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee and the Family Research Council.

"For more than twenty years, members of the National Pro-Life Alliance have championed the Life at Conception Act," said Martin Fox, President at National Pro-Life Alliance. "We are honored that Senator Rounds is taking the lead on a bill that is now more important than ever due to the many loopholes that abortionists are using to get around state protections for the unborn. The Life at Conception Act reaffirms the original intention of the writers of the 14th Amendment by declaring that the word 'person' includes all persons from the moment of conception."

"The Life at Conception Act affirms a simple, foundational truth backed by science and designed by God - from the moment of conception, a unique human life is formed," said Marilyn Musgrave, Vice President of Government Affairs at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. "Our laws should recognize the dignity, humanity, and inherent worth of every unborn child. Thank you, Senator Rounds for your steadfast pro-life leadership to defend the most vulnerable Americans."

"Recognizing that a unique human being begins at the moment of conception, the Life at Conception Act implements equal protection for every human being from their first moments of existence," said Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life Action & Students for Life of America. "What makes this measure the gold standard for recognizing the value of every life is the acknowledgement that the legal rights of preborn children are rooted in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. This profound truth is echoed in the 2024 GOP Platform and is a message that Students for Life Action (SFLAction) celebrates and recommends in legislative findings across the board. Arbitrarily leaving some human beings outside of the protections of the law is a mistake that this nation does not need to make again. SFLAction gives this legislation our strongest endorsement and will score both votes and sponsorships of the bill." ?

"The Declaration of Independence stated that all people have a fundamental right to life; it is time for Congress to recognize that that truth extends to children in the womb," said Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee. "The Life at Conception Act declares what most Americans believe and what science has long known - that life begins at conception and, therefore, preborn babies are entitled to the protection offered by the 14th Amendment. Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee is proud to endorse this legislation that affirms and protects the unique dignity of every life."

Click HERE for full bill text.

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