THE DAILY WHIP: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

H.R. 3504 – Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (Rep. Franks – Judiciary) (One Hour of Debate).  This bill amends the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act of 2002 to impose a new standard of medical care and reporting requirements upon women’s health providers in the event of a live birth resulting from an abortion or attempted abortion. This standard of care does not reflect current, evidence-based clinical practices but instead seeks to legislate undue burdens on women’s health providers. Additionally, H.R. 3504 subjects health care providers to criminal penalties for failure to report any lapses or failures to provide uniform care at any particular gestational state and creates a new right of civil action. The measure does not simply strengthen current law, which affords the same legal rights to all infants, it interferes directly in the practice of medicine and the health care decisions made by a woman and her physician. This legislation is unnecessary because many existing laws at the state and federal level prohibit a physician from ending the life of any baby born alive. The Administration issued a SAP stating that, should it reach his desk, the President would veto this bill.

The Rule, which was adopted yesterday, provides for one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Judiciary or their respective designees.

Bill Text for H.R. 3504:
PDF Version

H.R. 3134 – Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015 (Rep. Black – Energy and Commerce) (One Hour of Debate). This bill would eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood and its affiliates or clinics for one year, in order to allow time for Congressional Committees to fully investigate the allegation that Planned Parenthood is seeking to profit from the sale of fetal tissue.  Clinics that certify that they will not perform abortions during that time will be exempted. House Republicans are bringing this bill to the floor despite the fact that no wrongdoing by Planned Parenthood has been proven. This measure simply continues the GOP’s assault on Planned Parenthood and women’s access to health care.  With only five legislative days before the end of the fiscal year we should be focused on funding the federal government and averting the second government shutdown in two years instead of hindering women’s access to basic medical care. The Administration issued a SAP stating that, should it reach his desk, the President would veto this bill.

The Rule, which was adopted yesterday, provides for one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their respective designees. 

Bill Text for H.R. 3134:
PDF Version