Federal - HR 558

A Bill to Ban Dismemberment Abortions

Introduced

January 28, 2021

Description

H.R. 558, the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2021, would ban dismemberment abortions. This bill is sponsored by Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ); the same bill was introduced by her in the 116th Congress as the "Save Our Children Act."

The Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act defines “dismemberment abortion” as “knowingly dismembering a living unborn child and extracting such unborn child one piece at a time from the uterus through the use of clamps, grasping forceps, tongs, scissors or similar instruments that, through the convergence of two rigid levers, slice, crush or grasp a portion of the unborn child’s body in order to cut or rip it off . . .”  This definition largely overlaps with what those in the abortion trade currently refer to as “dilation and evacuation” or “dilation and extraction” (D&E) abortions. The method is commonly used starting at about 14 weeks of pregnancy and extending into the third trimester.

H.R. 558 allows performance of a dismemberment abortion if necessary to save a mother’s life. The bill also says that it does not limit abortions performed in cases of rape or incest, if performed by a method other than dismemberment abortion.

H.R. 558 is based on a model state bill proposed by National Right to Life, which has been passed in 13 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia. It is in effect in Mississippi, Nebraska, and West Virginia, and partially in effect in Ohio. 
 

National Right to Life strongly supports H.R. 558, the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2021.

 

Our Position

Support

Original Sponsor 1

Co-Sponsors 56

Latest Actions See More/Less

  • March 24, 2022 — Additional cosponsor(s): 2

    Jacobs, (R-N.Y.)Mullin, (R-Okla.)

  • March 17, 2022 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Franklin, (R-Fla.)

  • March 7, 2022 — Additional cosponsor(s): 4

    Ellzey, (R-Texas)Miller-Meeks, (R-Iowa)
    Gonzales, (R-Texas)Timmons (R-S.C.)

  • Aug. 31, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Moore, (R-Ala.)

  • Aug. 20, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Reschenthaler, (R-Pa.)

  • Aug. 13, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Mast, (R-Fla.)

  • Aug. 10, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 2

    Bost, (R-Ill.)Wenstrup, (R-Ohio)

  • Aug. 6, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Cawthorn, (R-N.C.)

  • Aug. 3, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 2

    Cammack, (R-Fla.)Jordan, (R-Ohio)

  • July 30, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 3

    Carter, E.L. (R-Ga.)Gosar, (R-Ariz.)Westerman, (R-Ark.)

  • July 29, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 3

    Gibbs, (R-Ohio)McKinley, (R-W.Va.)Palazzo, (R-Miss.)

  • April 21, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Letlow, (R-La.)

  • April 20, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Good, (R-Va.)

  • Feb. 5, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Murphy, (R-N.C.)

  • Feb. 3, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Guest, (R-Miss.)

  • Feb. 2, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 6

    Baird, (R-Ind.)Rose, (R-Tenn.)Sessions, (R-Texas)
    Keller, (R-Pa.)Scalise, (R-La.)Smith, C. (R-N.J.)

  • Jan. 28, 2021 — Lesko, R-Ariz., Submits a constitutional authority statement on the legislation. Congressional Record p. H251

  • Jan. 28, 2021 — Original cosponsor(s): 25

    Allen, (R-Ga.)Herrell, (R-N.M.)Norman, (R-S.C.)
    Babin, (R-Texas)Hice, (R-Ga.)Palmer, (R-Ala.)
    Banks, (R-Ind.)Jackson, (R-Texas)Steube, (R-Fla.)
    Biggs, (R-Ariz.)Johnson, M. (R-La.)Stewart, (R-Utah)
    Budd, (R-N.C.)Joyce, (R-Pa.)Weber, (R-Texas)
    Chabot, (R-Ohio)Kelly, M. (R-Pa.)Wilson, J. (R-S.C.)
    Duncan, Jeff (R-S.C.)Lamborn, (R-Colo.)Wright, (R-Texas)
    Gaetz, (R-Fla.)Latta, (R-Ohio)
    Grothman, (R-Wis.)Mooney, (R-W.Va.)

  • Jan. 28, 2021 — Read twice and referred to: House Judiciary.Congressional Record p. H244