Punditry & Prose
A Letter to Senator Kaine
I’ve just read a letter from Senator Tim Kaine to a constituent. The topic? S. 3111 ‘‘Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.’’ I would be remiss if I did not share the Senator’s remarks with you.
Senator Kaine explains in his March 1, 2019, letter that S. 3111 is not necessary because “Infanticide is already illegal in every state.” I won’t argue that point, but with all due respect, I believe Senator Kaine’s vote against S. 3111 is based upon what the Senator states elsewhere in his letter: “This bill would establish additional requirements on health care practitioners during some abortion procedures, including the potential for criminal penalties.”
So, I sought out S. 3111 and read it myself. I urge you to do the same. Read especially Section 1532.
It turns out the bill would require a physician to preserve the life and health of a child surviving an abortion in the same fashion and with the same diligence as would be the case for any other child born alive. And the physician would be required to arrange transport and admission to a hospital of such a child.
I do not agree with Senator Kaine that this language is in any manner “misleading” as he states in his letter. What I do believe is that this language is contrary to the desires of the Senator’s constituents and the Senator’s own voting record on abortion issues.
Decide for yourselves. It’s easy to find S. 3111 on the internet.
