It’s being reported that President Donald Trump announced a new executive order at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast protecting babies born alive from failed abortions.
The Catholic News Agency reported that Trump on Wednesday announced an executive order that would require medical care be given to infants who are born alive after failed abortion attempts.
“Today I am announcing that I will be signing the Born-Alive Executive Order to ensure that all precious babies born alive, no matter their circumstances, receive the medical care that they deserve. This is our sacrosanct moral duty,” said Trump while speaking in a pre-recorded video address during the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast virtual even.
The Born-Alive Infant Protection Act has been introduced several times in Congress, but has failed to become law. The bill stalled in the House of Representatives in 2019-2020 because an insufficient number of members signed a discharge petition which would have triggered a vote on the bill.
The full text of the executive order has yet to be released, but is expected to mirror the attempted federal legislation on the issue.
The President also announced that his administration would be “increasing federal funding for neonatal research, to ensure that every child has the very best chance to thrive and to grow.” September is Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Awareness month.
The National Catholic Prayer Breakfast had been rescheduled from March 30 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and was held as an online broadcast. This was Trump’s first time speaking at the event, although administration officials, including Vice President Mike Pence and former acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, have addressed the breakfast in past years.
“I want to express my deep gratitude everyone who prays for me, for the First Lady, and for our great country,” Trump said.
He also spoke of how he grew up near a Catholic church in the New York City borough of Queens, and had seen for himself the “incredible work” the Church does for the marginalized.
“I grew up next to a Catholic church in Queens, New York and I saw how much incredible work the Catholic Church did for our community. These are amazing people. These are great, great people,” the president said.
“Catholics of all backgrounds share the love of Christ with the most vulnerable, as they care for the elderly, the homeless, and neighbors in need. Our nation is strong because of Catholics and all people of faith,” he added.
This bill really should have passed Congress. Democrats don’t want to vote for it and don’t want to be seen not voting for it, so they killed the bill. While I’m sure Trump’s EO won’t be nearly as good as a new law would be, we’ll take what we can get and hope that Republicans can win back Congress in November and pass a law that goes even further, to fully protect the life of the unborn. Until then, kudos to President Trump for continually trying to protect the life of the unborn.
