I think we know the legislative theme for week 4 of the 2023 South Dakota Legislative session.

Now that EVERYONE IN THE STATE SENATE with the exception of one voted for her censure, Julie Frye-Mueller is apparently unrepentant, and taking no responsibility for her actions. As she has just issued a statement to that effect, and claiming that “the language contained in the staff person’s statement was shocking and filthy and is not what I said.”

Unfortunately for Frye-Mueller, nobody but her seat mate believed her.

And in her statement, she brings up a new bill that has been introduced which would prevent her husband, whom she has given unheard of authority for a legislative spouse, to be a lobbyist at the same time:

SENATOR FRYE-MUELLER ISSUES STATEMENT ON REINSTATEMENT

Rapid City, SD (January 27, 2023) – Today, the South Dakota Senate reinstated Senator Julie Frye-Mueller, with a public ensure and restricting her interactions with the Legislative Research Council. In response, Senator Julie Frye-Mueller has issued the following statement:

“I am thankful to rightfully return to the South Dakota Senate to represent the citizens of District 30.  The action of this body in suspending the Rules of the Senate to immediately suspend a member WITHOUT DUE PROCESS on an accusation alone without evidence is simply unjust.  The consequence of these actions were to silence the voices of over 25,000 people.  Now deadlines for some legislative action have passed without any obvious remedy.

If lawmakers can silence me without any due process and by ignoring the law, or suspending the rules and laws we instituted, why do we make such laws? Their failure to respond to my continued requests clearly appears to be an orchestrated attempt to obstruct my ability to defend myself and is politically motivated.  We were given only 27 hours to even know what was being claimed and to coordinate legal counsel and witnesses.

As I said in my sworn testimony, the language contained in the staff person’s statement was shocking and filthy and is not what I said or conveyed.  That aspect of the conversation was entirely fabricated.  The permanent damage done to my reputation and that of my family is a stain that will not go away.

The actions of these Senators will likely serve as a deterrent to anyone who might consider public service.  In fact, I understand that there is already a Bill (SB 197) being submitted as, what appears to be, additional retribution.  When will the attacks end?

Finally, the actions of the Senate are absolutely unprecedented.  However, I will do all that I can to continue to be an advocate for District 30 and the people of South Dakota.  I am grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support for me and my family in the midst of this attack.  God bless you all.”

The bill, Senate Bill 197, reads as follows:

As I had noted last night, as part of her and her husband’s testimony,

It came up that Frye-Mueller’s husband is not just up as session as her spouse, but he’s a registered lobbyist for Citizens for Liberty. AND they admitted under oath that he is a designated contact for Frye-Mueller on her legislative matters with LRC. How exactly does his status as her legislative contact and a lobbyist for Citizens for Liberty work?

Haugaard attempted to walk that back by noting Mueller is “an unpaid lobbyist.” But why would that matter?  From his wife’s request, he has more access to LRC than any other spouse, and practically more access to LRC than any other Lobbyist.

There’s no wall between Mueller’s liaison and lobbyist roles.

Read that here.

As I’d noted, what has become apparent is that there is literally no wall between her husband handling her legislation and being a private lobbyist for Citizens for Liberty. If there ever was one.

Little wonder she has ranked at the highest levels of their scorecard, and in 2018 had actually put in a bill to directly benefit Citizens for Liberty:

The measure was an attempt to pass legislation allowing use of the Legislative Research Council to do the dirty work of groups such as the Citizens for Liberty, who were strongly involved in the measure, because they want research help to assist in attacking legislators.

“This is a positive step toward more open government,” Frye-Mueller said. She asked House members to “lift the roadblock” that prohibits the Legislative Research Council from putting together voting records by lawmaker.

“The data can be organized by any relevant statistic,” Weaver said. “Most people just want to know how does their legislator vote.”

and..

Weaver said she was willing to accept a report after each legislative session.

Rep. Larry Rhoden, R-Union Center, picked apart Weaver’s group. The committee chairman said a scorecard assembled in the past by Weaver was “extremely distorted.”

and..

“I will tell you this: I chose the bills,” Weaver said. She considered perspectives from some lobbyists and from her board.

Mickelson again urged defeat.“To this point, our legislative research staff has been nonpartisan. That is very important to the impartiality they bring to the work they do for all of us,” Mickelson said. “There’s a lot of judgment compiling a voting record.”

and..

Rhoden said it was easy to track his record. “And it continues to get easier,” he said.

Rhoden added that he was “extremely, extremely disappointed” by the Weaver group’s attempt to reach “a predetermined outcome.”

Read that here.

So, the spouse of the President of the conservative Citizens for Liberty group (Rep. Julie Frye-Mueller), and Tonchi Weaver, the ‘project director’ for Citizens for Liberty, want a law commanding the state Legislative Research Council to do their research?

Read that here.

If Julie thinks it’s a measure directed at punishing her, she should probably take a hard look.

Because it’s less related to punishment, and more about how uncomfortably close the association actually is.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Senate Votes to Discipline Sen. Frye-Mueller

PIERRE—The South Dakota Senate voted today to discipline Senator Julie Frye-Mueller (R-District 30) for conduct unbecoming the Senate in response to accusations of misconduct with an employee of the Legislative Research Council (LRC). The full Senate concurred with the Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion’s recommendation of censure with 33 yea votes and 1 nay vote.

Based upon testimony and their investigation, the Select Committee unanimously determined that Sen. Frye-Mueller engaged in harassment, as specified in Joint Rule 1B-3(2), that the harassment had the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual employee’s work performance and creating an intimidating working environment in the LRC. The Select Committee recommended Sen. Frye-Mueller be censured and disciplined. As a result, Sen. Frye-Mueller’s suspension was deemed appropriate and it was recommended that she should be immediately reinstated to the body. However, as part of her reinstatement, Sen. Frye-Mueller’s interaction with Legislative staff will be limited to the LRC director or his designees for the remainder of the 98th Legislative Session.

“As elected leaders, we rely on our staff to help us legislate effectively and deliver the best policy solutions for South Dakota. As employees, they rely on us for a safe work environment,” said Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree (R-District 8). “I want to acknowledge my Senate colleagues as they conducted themselves professionally throughout this process, listened to all sides of the story, and respected the privacy of those involved. The Senate is ready to move forward and direct our full attention back to the people’s business.”

“The standard of conduct and professionalism for elected officials is a high one, especially with our Legislative staff,” said Sen. David Wheeler (R-District 22), chair of the Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion. “Today’s action by the Senate is a strong statement that harassment and intimidation will not be tolerated in this esteemed body. I’m proud of the work of our committee and I want to thank those involved for their due diligence and fairness afforded to all parties.”

“The select committee voted unanimously last night to draft the report to censure, discipline, limit access to staff, and immediately end the Senator’s suspension,” said Sen. Reynold Nesiba (D-District 15), vice-chair of the Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion and Senate Minority Leader. “Today the committee voted, again, unanimously to accept that report and send it to the Senate floor. I am pleased that the Senate voted 33-1 to adopt that report. It is essential that our LRC staff have a safe, non-partisan, professional work environment in which to do their work on our behalf.”

Yea votes on final consideration were Sen. Arch Beal (R-District 12), Sen. Jim Bolin (R-District 16), Sen. Shawn Bordeaux (D-District 26), Sen. Bryan Breitling (R-District 23), Sen. Jessica Castleberry (R-District 35), Sen. Casey Crabtree (R-District 8), Sen. Sydney Davis (R-District 17), Sen. Randy Deibert (R-District 31), Sen. Michael Diedrich (R-District 34), Sen. Helene Duhamel (R-District 32), Sen. Red Dawn Foster (D-District 27), Sen. Brent Hoffman (R-District 9), Sen. Jean Hunhoff (R-District 18), Sen. David Johnson (R-District 33), Sen. Joshua Klumb (District 20), Sen. Jack Kolbeck (R-District 13), Sen. Steve Kolbeck (R-District 2), Sen. Liz Larson (D-District 10), Sen. Ryan Maher (R-District 28), Sen. Jim Mehlhaff (R-District 24), Sen. Reynold Nesiba (D-District 15), Sen. Al Novstrup (R-District 3), Sen. Herman Otten (R-District 6), Sen. Tim Reed (R-District 7), Sen. Michael Rohl (R-District 1), Sen. Lee Schoenbeck (R-District 5), Sen. Kyle Schoenfish (R-District 19), Sen. Jim Stalzer (R-District 11), Sen. Erin Tobin (R-District 21), Sen. David Wheeler (R-District 22), Sen. John Wiik (R-District 4), Sen. Dean Wink (R-District 29), Sen. Larry Zikmund (R-District 14).

Sen. Tom Pischke (R-District 25) was the only no vote.

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BACKGROUND: On Jan. 25, 2023, Senate leadership was notified of an allegation of unprofessional behavior against Senator Julie Frye-Mueller by a Legislative Research Council (LRC) staff member.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, Senate President Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck

(R-District 5) removed Senator Frye-Mueller from her committee assignments as permitted by Senate Rule S4-1.

On Jan. 26, Senate Republicans received a detailed report from an LRC staff member alleging inappropriate behavior and harassment related to private maternal matters, including childhood vaccines and breastfeeding, which took place in the LRC office inside the State Capitol Building. Senator Frye-Mueller was given an opportunity to speak to the Senate Republican Leadership on Jan. 25. Comments made by Sen. Frye-Mueller in that private discussion were inconsistent with her public statements and the report received from the LRC staff member. Senators voted to suspend Senator Frye-Mueller on Jan. 26 pending a full hearing on the merits.

The Senate adopted rules for the proceedings on Monday, Jan. 30. The Select Committee held a hearing on Jan. 31 to allow both parties involved to present their case. Documents related to this matter, including the draft report and redacted employee statement, are available online at the LRC website.

The Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion was chaired by Sen. David Wheeler (R-District 22). Sen. Reynold Nesiba (D-District 15) was the vice-chair. Other members of the Select Committee were Sen. Jim Bolin (R-District 16), Sen. Sydney Davis (R-District 17), Sen. Helene Duhamel (R-District 32), Sen. Brent Hoffman (R-District 9), Sen. Erin Tobin (R-District 21), and Dean Wink (R-District 29).

 

Thune Announces Committee Assignments for 118th Congress

“I look forward to continuing to advance South Dakota’s priorities by delivering common-sense solutions for families, farmers and ranchers, and businesses and ensuring South Dakotans have a seat at the table in Washington when important decisions are being made.” 

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today released the following statement after being selected to serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; the Senate Finance Committee; and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

“I am honored to once again serve on these three important and effective committees that will help deliver meaningful results for South Dakota,” said Thune. “I look forward to continuing to advance common-sense solutions for families, farmers and ranchers, and businesses and ensuring South Dakotans have a seat at the table in Washington when important decisions are being made.”

The Senate Agriculture Committee has jurisdiction over matters relating to: U.S. Department of Agriculture activities, including farm programs, crop insurance, conservation programs, and livestock marketing rules; the Rural Utilities Service and Rural Development, which carry out important programs relating to rural energy development, rural business financing, and rural health care services; nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (known as food stamps); and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which oversees futures markets.

The Senate Finance Committee has jurisdiction over matters relating to: taxation and other general revenue measures; bonded debt of the United States; customs, collection districts, and ports of entry and delivery; reciprocal trade agreements; tariff and import quotas; the transportation of dutiable goods; deposit of public moneys; general revenue sharing; health programs under the Social Security Act, including Medicare, Medicaid, and other health and human services programs financed by a specific tax or trust fund; and Social Security.

The Senate Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over matters relating to: the Coast Guard; communications; highway safety; inland waterways; interstate commerce; marine and ocean navigation safety and transportation; marine fisheries; merchant marine and navigation; nonmilitary aeronautical and space sciences; weather and atmospheric activities; regulation of consumer products and services and regulation of interstate common carriers, including railroads, buses, trucks, vessels, pipelines, and civil aviation; science; engineering; technology research and development and policy; sports; and transportation.

Thune also serves as the Senate Republican whip, the number two position in Senate Republican leadership, a position he has held since 2019.

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My spies (who have been pretty accurate to date) are informing me of even more turnover at the Secretary of State’s office under Monae Johnson’s leadership.

Word is that Eileen Jensen the new Director of Elections has already quit, less than a month after the inauguration. In fact, it sounds like she may have parted ways with the SOS for a week or more now.

Was that even enough time to get the new name tags ordered and in?

Back to the drawing board for Monae on who the election authority for the State of South Dakota will be.

—

Quick update on this. I’m told Rachel Soulek who worked at the SOS before is now the new Director for the Division of Elections.

At least for now.

Johnson Protecting U.S. Farmland from the CCP

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) cosponsored two bills to protect America’s farmland and businesses from the Chinese Communist Party and add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

“We have seen foreign adversaries increase their ownership of American farmland and ag businesses over the past ten years, and it’s concerning,” said Johnson. “This poses a threat to our food supply, food security, and supply chain. The PASS Act ensures America’s ag land and ag businesses are not owned and operated by our foreign adversaries. Given increased threats, the Secretary of Agriculture needs a seat at the CFIUS table to ensure the protection of American farmland and agriculture interests.”

The amount of foreign-owned U.S. agricultural land has increased significantly over the past ten years. Johnson is a member of the Select Committee on China, which plans to examine China’s influence on American Agriculture in the coming months.

The Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act led by U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) would:

• Prohibit China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from purchasing U.S. agricultural land and agricultural companies,
• Add the Secretary of Agriculture as a standing member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to consider agriculture needs when making determinations affecting our national security,
• Require the President to submit a report to Congress on any waiver granted to a prohibited country, and
• Require reporting from the Secretary of Agriculture on the risk of foreign purchases of agriculture companies to the American agriculture sector.

The Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) Act led by U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) would:

• Add the Secretary of Agriculture as a member to CFIUS,
• Add language to protect the U.S. agriculture industry from foreign control through transactions, mergers, acquisitions, or agreements,
• Designate agricultural supply chains as critical infrastructure and critical technologies, and
• Require a report to Congress on current and potential foreign investments in the U.S. agricultural industry from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Government Accountability Office (GAO).

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The motion to discipline State Senator Julie Frye Mueller for her conduct with an employee with the Legislative Research Council has gone to the Senate floor, and passed almost unanimously on a vote of 33 Yeas, with Senator Pischke as the 1 Nay for her formal Censure, the Limiting of Frye Mueller’s access to the Legislative Research Council, and the lifting of Frye-Mueller’s suspension from the Senate Floor.

The Sergeant of Arms was commanded by Larry Rhoden at the podium to contact Senator Frye Mueller to let her know she could come back to the Senate.

Frye-Mueller quietly returned to the floor to little notice and no fanfare during the discussion on the next legislative matter, and took her place next to her only defender, Senator Tom Pischke.

Rounds Secures Key Committee Memberships for 118th Congress

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced his membership on five committees for the 118th Congress.

• Armed Services
• Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
• Intelligence
• Veterans’ Affairs
• Indian Affairs

Rounds Statement:

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on five key committees on behalf of the people of South Dakota and for the national security of our nation.

“Real, collaborative work to defend our country is done in the Senate Armed Services Committee. We have worked to strengthen our military, improve our nation’s cybersecurity capabilities and provide much-needed modernization of the nuclear triad, which has deterred our nation’s adversaries for over 60 years. Ellsworth Air Force Base, the future home of the B-21 Raider, will have a significant role in defending the United States and will have a significant economic impact on the Black Hills for generations to come. I look forward to expanding on this work to maintain our national defense.

“I will remain a member on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. South Dakotans deserve easy access to credit, housing that is affordable and traditional financial services. The Finance and Insurance sector is a significant contributor to our state’s GDP as we are home to financial institutions of all sizes and charters that significantly add to our economic base. I look forward to promoting commonsense public policy that encourages economic growth, capital formation and consumer protection while also providing much-needed oversight to heavy-handed bureaucrats.

“I am pleased to join the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and look forward to learning from my new colleagues about how the committee helps fulfill our national security requirements. This includes the committee’s oversight of the Intelligence Community through gathering good information. I want to learn the Intelligence Community’s needs and help the committee make good decisions.

“South Dakota is home to one of the largest populations of veterans per capita in the country. Throughout my time working on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, we have worked to save VA facilities in our state and improve the care our veterans receive. There is still more work to be done. In a typical year, over a quarter of all the requests for assistance my office receives are veteran related. Our veterans made a commitment to serve our country. Now, it is our turn to make sure they receive the benefits they have earned.

“The Native American population is an integral part of South Dakota. Too often, the federal government has failed to uphold its treaty and trust obligations to Native American tribes. I am pleased to remain on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairsand look forward to continue working with tribal leaders to uphold tribal sovereignty. By working together, we can make certain their unique circumstances and challenges are being properly addressed.”

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From Twitter:

President Biden coming to the table to talk debt ceiling with @SpeakerMcCarthy is a good first step, but @POTUS needs to bring his budget priorities, too. pic.twitter.com/UGPw5XZ7dk

— Rep. Dusty Johnson (@RepDustyJohnson) February 1, 2023

Thune, Lankford Introduce Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act  

Senators’ bill protects infants who are born alive after a botched abortion

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) today introduced the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, legislation that protects infants who survive an attempted abortion to ensure they receive the same care as any other newborn. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act on January 11, 2023, by a vote of 220 to 210.

“Babies who are born alive during a botched abortion should be given the same basic medical care that would be afforded to any other newborn,” said Thune. “This common-sense bill is a basic standard of decency, and it is an issue that should have overwhelming bipartisan support. I’m proud to lead this effort in the Senate against the injustices of abortion and infanticide, and I will continue to fight until we can ensure that every child is protected.”

“Every life is valuable—born or unborn,” said Lankford. “It shouldn’t be controversial to say that the small number of children who survive an attempted abortion and are living outside their mother’s womb, that baby deserves to receive care. Protecting life should not be a partisan issue; it should be an American issue and a human rights issue. I am proud to introduce this bill and to speak up for the children who cannot speak for themselves. A baby crying outside the womb should be cared for, not destroyed.”

The legislation is supported by Susan B. Anthony Pro-life America, Americans United for Life, the National Right to Life Committee, March for Life, the Family Research Council, Heritage Action, the Family Policy Alliance, CatholicVote, Students for Life Action, Focus on the Family, Lifeline Children’s Services, the Abortion Survivors Network, the Faith and Freedom Coalition, Concerned Women for American Legislative Action Committee, the Christ Medicus Foundation, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Pro-Life Activities, and the Christian Medical and Dental Associations.

“Our government’s most sacred duty is to safeguard the right to life for all Americans born and unborn,” said Hon. Marilyn Musgrave, vice president of government affairs for Susan B. Anthony Pro-life America. “At an absolute minimum, legislators should be able to agree that children who are born alive during a failed abortion deserve protections. In fact, 76% of Americans agree. We thank Senators Thune and Lankford and their colleagues for recognizing the important role the federal government has in protecting these babies, and we urge members on both sides of the aisle to join in supporting this commonsense bill against infanticide.”

“National Right to Life commends Sens. Thune and Lankford for introducing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “This reasonable legislation would protect a baby born alive following an abortion. This bill isn’t about interfering with a so-called right to abortion. It is about stopping infanticide. Following Dobbs v. Jackson, several states are moving not only to fully legalize abortion up to the moment of birth but also going to great lengths to insulate abortion providers from even the most basic scrutiny. Against this backdrop, there is renewed urgency to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and protect these vulnerable babies.”

“Every baby born alive is a person and deserves to be protected. Babies should be greeted with the warmth of a thermal cap, not a cold operation table,” said Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council. “I applaud Senator James Lankford and Senate Republican Whip John Thune for their leadership in promoting legislation that protects infants that survive failed abortions.”

“Senators Lankford and Thune should be commended for introducing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which protects babies from infanticide by ensuring that infants who survive botched abortion attempts receive life-saving medical care and establishing criminal consequences for abortion providers who fail to give born-alive babies appropriate medical care and a chance at life,” said Jessica Anderson, executive director of Heritage Action. “Without clear enforcement provisions for these abortion providers, survivors could be left vulnerable and neglected, especially in so-called abortion sanctuary states, as both state and federal data confirm that babies can and often do survive abortion attempts. Heritage Action encourages all senators to endorse the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act as the first of many initiatives from the 118th Congress to protect life.”

“Every single child, born and unborn, is made in the image of God and deserves the utmost legal protection,” said Herbert M. Newell IV, president and executive director of Lifeline Children’s Services. “Unfortunately, current law does not adequately protect those who survive attempted abortions. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would require life-saving medical care for the babies who survive an abortion, as well as criminally penalizing the abortionist for failing to provide medical care to born alive infants. The measure of a society rests on how we treat the least of these, and we must prioritize medical professionalism and care for these precious little ones.”

“The extremism of the Democratic party leadership and the abortion lobby in opposing an end to infanticide shows how out of step they are with most Americans,” said Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life Action. “It’s inhumane to stand by while children are allowed to die even as they survive an abortion, and we have the voices of those who have survived that horrific gauntlet allowing us to see the life and death stakes. This is long overdue and represents a place to begin in this new year, and the pro-life generation calls on Congress to finally end this human rights atrocity. Ending infanticide should be a place of bipartisan agreement.”

“Senators Thune and Lankford are courageous defenders of life,” said Melissa Ohden, founder and CEO of the Abortion Survivor’s Network. “They are again demonstrating their leadership by introducing legislation that would ensure infants like me and countless others are guaranteed medical care and legal protections when abortions fail and life wins. This legislation, like the bill passed in the House earlier this year, will save lives, but our work continues. The Abortion Survivors Network is committed to serving survivors of abortion at any gestational age, along with their mothers, who deserve compassionate prenatal and postpartum care, a delivery plan, and emotional support. Let us work together to ensure that infant survivors and their mothers receive the best medical and emotional care possible. We are proud to stand with Senators Thune and Lankford and their colleagues in strong support of this legislation.”

“Babies have been born alive in abortion clinics; the records speak for themselves throughout our nation,” said Catherine Glenn Foster, president and CEO of Americans United for Life. “Babies will continue to be born alive and left to die if the bill isn’t passed. The Born-Alive Infant Survivors Protection Act is a common sense, lifesaving bill that should be easily passed with bipartisan support. We urge the Senate – Democrat, Republican, and Independent alike – to pass this bill! Americans United for Life is very thankful to Sen. Thune and Sen. Lankford for leading on this very crucial piece of legislation. The question of whether a baby who was born alive should be left to die or protected and cared for under law shouldn’t be up for question in modern day America.”

“We are living at a sad time in history where certain newborn babies are being allowed to die rather than rushed to immediate medical care – simply because that child survives a failed abortion,” said Craig DeRoche, president and CEO of Family Policy Alliance.“This is absolutely unthinkable. We are grateful that Senators James Lankford and John Thune have introduced the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, which will establish necessary protections for these vulnerable newborns, and we urge its passage in the Senate.”

“The Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act promises to ensure the most basic and fundamental of all human rights,” said Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family. “No doctor should ever be allowed to turn their back on a helpless child. I applaud Senator Lankford, Senator Thune, and their pro-life Senate colleagues for codifying what should be a matter of common-sense decency, but which is now a basic human right that risks being held hostage by radical leftists committed to the legalization of even infanticide.”

“It is to our nation’s great shame that this bill, requiring medical professionals provide the necessary aid to a dying child, even has to be proposed,” said Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. “And, even more so, that it has been done so in successive sessions of Congress without being passed. We speak proudly of how advanced our society is, yet we have not even been able to achieve consensus that medical care should be given to the survivor of an attempt on his or her life by an abortionist. This is an injustice that should have long ago been corrected. In the new post-Roe era we now live, it would be a welcome first step towards establishing a true culture of life in our laws to see this legislation affirmed quickly by overwhelming majorities.”

“On behalf of the over 2 million members of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, I applaud Senators Thune and Lankford for reintroducing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” said Timothy R. Head, executive director of the Faith & Freedom Coalition. “This common-sense bill simply requires that a child born alive after an attempted abortion receive appropriate medical treatment and be transferred to a hospital – the same as would be done for any other human being at the same level of development. This bill does not limit access to abortion. It is truly a reasonable and ethical approach to how we, as a nation, should expect that any innocent human beings would be treated in a medical setting.”

“Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is vital legislation that protect newborns from infanticide,” said Louis Brown, J.D., executive director of the Christ Medicus Foundation. “A civil rights bill, this legislation also protects the basic human and civil rights of newborn children and mothers by requiring medical professionals to safeguard the health and human dignity of both mothers and their infant children. Abortion is not health care and should have no place in American society. But this bill is not about abortion, it is about protecting the lives of infant children. It is unconscionable to think that any senator or member of congress could do anything but support this legislation that simply says health care professionals have an ethical and legal obligation to protect the life and health of infant children.”

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