May 21,1997
WASHINGTON, D.C. - "The debate on partial-birth abortion this year has been a victory in and of itself," Family Research council President Gary Bauer said Tuesday. An overwhelming majority (64-36) of the U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to pass the Partial -Birth Abortion Ban Act (H.R. 1122). "The victory has not only been on the floor of the House and Senate, but also in the hearts and minds of millions of Americans who have risen to the defense of the lives of babies killed by this barbaric procedure.
"Family Research Council counts this vote as an historic victory for the pro-life movement," Bauer continued. "We don't know how the president will act on this bill, but we do know that the majority of Americans agree that this procedure should be banned. Here are just a few reasons why we see a victory today:
1. Three unexpected votes were gained in the Senate, including Senate Minority Leader Thomas Daschle (D-SD). The other two votes were Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) and Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-SC). All three senators voted against the ban last year. The changed votes reflect the overwhelming support for the ban at the grass roots level. After last year's Presidential veto of the partial-birth abortion ban, states have passed their own bans, print and radio ads have been placed, and networks of people have worked day and night on the issue. This activity will only intensify this year and in the years to come.
2. Americans have watched the debate for a second time and have seen the facts about partial-birth abortion more clearly than ever before. With the support of the Physicians Ad Hoc Coalition for doctors nationwide. A vote against the partial-birth abortion ban is a vote against accepted medical practice which deems this procedure as not 'not medically indicated,' nor "'good medicine (AMA Vice President P. John Seward).
3. The pro-life movement has the momentum in this debate. The success of the partial-birth abortion ban is apparent in any discussion about the procedure. People are talking about babies being brutally killed just inches from taking their first breath. Although the ban was not passed today by a veto-proof majority, hearts have been moved. Adoption of a national ban on this barbarism is inevitable. We call on President Clinton to make the inevitable happen now."