With Democratic presidential candidates talking about access to late-term abortion, and pro-life members of Congress trying to force a vote on protecting abortion survivors, the issue is growing to become a key part of the 2020 elections.
Wagner's bill has 190 cosponsors but has not been considered for a vote. It hasn't been for lack of effort, especially at the procedural level. House Democratic leaders have refused requests for unanimous consent to have a vote on the legislation, more than 80 times.
On April 2, House Minority WHIP Steve Scalise (R-La.) filed a Motion to Discharge a Committee from the Consideration of a Resolution, or a "discharge petition." If the petition gained the signature of a majority of the House-218 Members-it would move the bill to the House Floor for a full vote.
The petition garnered 193 signatures immediately and subsequently received eight more, but since June 4 there have been no additions.
Only three Democrats have signed on: Reps. Dan Lipinski (Ill.), Collin Peterson (Minn.), and Ben McAdams (Utah), and pro-life leaders have taken note.
"It is unconscionable that Democrats have not allowed a vote on this bill requiring the most basic care," March for Life president Jeanne Mancini stated.
"Once again, we urge House Democrats from Republican-leaning districts to listen to their constituents and sign Whip Scalise's discharge petition to hold a vote on this lifesaving bill," Susan B. Anthony List president Marjorie Dannenfelser stated.
Over the August recess, pro-life groups were reportedly working at the grassroots level to get more Democrats onto the petition, Wagner said.
"We hope that they've heard from their constituents and will come back. The board is open as of today, they can sign the petition, and just allow this to come to a vote," she told CNA. "And so I believe that they're going to be held to account, I hope, by the voters."
Matt Hadro was the political editor at Catholic News Agency through October 2021. He previously worked as CNA senior D.C. correspondent and as a press secretary for U.S. Congressman Chris Smith.