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WASHINGTON – Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today praised passage of legislation that would prohibit elective abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, which is the point at which scientific evidence has shown that an unborn child can feel pain. 

“The science is clear. Unborn children at 20 weeks of development are individuals capable of experiencing great pain,” said Foxx. “Today the House showed it will not sit idly by while the innocent and voiceless are subjected to this grotesque and brutal procedure.”

H.R. 36, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, also would ensure that elective abortions performed after 20 weeks are done with a doctor present to provide care and transport the child to a hospital in the event he or she is born alive.

“We go to extraordinary lengths in this country to save the lives of our fellow human beings because we value life so much. However, there are many who do not hold the unborn in the same esteem and that is tragic,” continued Foxx. “Every life matters. It is my hope that a culture of life will take hold and all children will be protected in law in the near future.”

The legislation passed the House by a vote of 242-184.

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U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.