UPDATE 1-Trump asks U.S. Congress to prohibit late-term abortion
Using emotive language, Trump waded into what has long been a divisive issue in American politics, even though the procedure was legalized in a Supreme Court ruling more than 40 years ago. "To defend the dignity of every person, I am asking the Congress to pass legislation to prohibit the late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in the mother's womb," Trump said.
"Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life. Let us reaffirm a fundamental truth: all children - born and unborn - are made in the holy image of God," he said. The issue of whether a fetus feels pain has been raised frequently in recent years by abortion opponents pushing for more restrictions in state legislatures. Medical opinion on the issue is not conclusive.
With the confirmation last year of Trump's pick for the Supreme Court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, conservatives now have a 5-4 edge on the nation's highest court, raising fears among abortion rights supporters that the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling could be weakened or overturned. Currently, laws governing late-term abortions vary state by state.
Trump criticized a New York law enacted last month that provides strong abortion rights protections, including late-term abortions when the mother's health is endangered. In his speech, he said lawmakers in the state "cheered with delight" at the law "that would allow a baby to be ripped from the mother's womb moments before birth."
The Republican president also seized on a controversy surrounding Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, repeating Republicans' accusations that Northam, a Democrat, advocated infanticide when he defended a bill that would have lifted restrictions on later-term abortions. Northam has said his comments were misinterpreted. "Extrapolating otherwise is bad faith," his spokeswoman, Ofirah Yheskel, said last week.
The embattled Virginia governor is facing a separate controversy over a racist photo in his 1984 medical school yearbook, but has resisted calls to resign. (Reporting by Makini Brice and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- All My Children
- Married... with Children
- Children's clothing
- Virginia Henderson
- Virginia Plan
- University of Virginia
- This Is Us
- Ralph Northam
- Tom Perriello
- Nineteen Eighty-Four
- New York
- New York Giants
- New York & Company
- Supreme court
- Brett Kavanaugh
- The Mother
- Mother to Son
- Mother Teresa
- Grammatical person
- Person of Interest
ALSO READ
Indian child sex offender arrested after Maryland courts give light sentences: ICE
Raju Pal murder case: CBI court sentences seventh accused for life imprisonment
CPI(M) state secy Salim's candidature brings Murshidabad LS seat to limelight
Supply of indelible ink to states for LS polls completed; biggest chunk for UP
EC notice to Atishi over statement on BJP's 'poaching' bid