There is never a bad time to stand up for the unborn, and that's exactly what I'm doing with this legislation.

Dear John: Last week I introduced the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act in the United States Senate. The legislation sets a federal minimum protection for unborn children and bans abortion after 15 weeks when unborn children can feel pain. This new bill would put the United States' abortion policy in line with 47 of 50 European nations, including France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and Spain. Earlier this year, Democrats in the U.S. Senate voted in favor of federal legislation to allow abortions right up until the moment of birth. The Democrat Party's proposal is radical, barbaric, and opposed by 80% of Americans according to polling. Our legislation: Prohibits doctors from performing abortions after 15 weeks gestation – when an unborn child can feel pain – except in situations involving rape, incest, or risks to the life and physical health of the mother. Leaves in place state laws that are more protective of unborn life. Is supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans – 72% - who favor limiting abortions after 15 weeks with exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother. This strong support includes 75% of women, 69% of men, 70% of Independents, and 60% of Democrats. The Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs returned "the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives." As Justice Kavanaugh wrote in his concurring opinion, the elected representatives can be "in the States or Congress." Today, in some states, there are currently no protections for the unborn. These states not only allow abortion on demand – up to the moment of birth – but are actively encouraging women to travel to their state to receive taxpayer-funded abortions. Since Democrats have already voted at the federal level for their radical bill to allow abortions up to the moment of birth and have threatened to eliminate the filibuster to do so again in the future, I believe it is appropriate for the pro-life community to have minimum protections for life at the federal level in response to the Democrats' position. I am proud this bill is supported by numerous pro-life organizations like National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, March for Life, Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, and many others. On the same day the Senate bill was introduced, Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced a companion bill that already has 85 House Republicans in support. In Maryland, a new "all-trimester" abortion facility is set to open that will perform abortions as late as 34 weeks. While shocking to the conscience, Maryland is not alone. Other states, including California, New York, Illinois, and Oregon are following similar paths. Unborn children will be dismembered. They will be tragically subjected to a cruel and inhumane death as these states allow abortion until the moment of birth. We as a nation are better than that. The pro-life community should not stand by or stand down. We must speak up and speak out when states adopt inhumane standards on protecting life. We firmly reject the idea of legitimizing the cruelty of the North Korean and Chinese standard of abortion in America. There is never a bad time to stand up for the unborn, and that's exactly what I'm doing with this legislation. Sincerely, Lindsey Graham United States Senator Paid For By Team Graham, Inc.