U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act:

“This week marks two years after Kermit Gosnell was found guilty for the senseless and horrific actions of delivering and then killing infants born alive. I have been a lifelong supporter of the unborn and I was proud to cosponsor and vote to ban abortions past 20 weeks. As a society, I believe it is our duty to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and allow them the right to be born into the world. We must ensure there are no more so-called doctors, like Gosnell, in offices who have no respect for the right to life. I hope the Senate and the president act quickly to stand up for the unborn and make this important legislation the law of the land.” 

H.R. 36 would ban abortions past 20 weeks, with an exception for instances of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at stake. Last Congress, the Congressional Budget Office estimated this bill, if enacted, would save 2,750 lives each year. In 2013, Gosnell was convicted of three counts of first degree murder in infant deaths. He agreed to serve a life term without parole and waived his right to appeal instead of facing the death penalty.