VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT: Scott: The US Senate has “an opportunity to celebrate life, and to protect life."

View Senator Scott’s remarks online HERE.

Full Transcript of Senator Tim Scott’s Floor Speech on The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Mr. President –

I am a proud pro-life Senator, and I stand on the floor of the Senate today with a gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach.  It’s a feeling that comes from the knowledge that over the last 40 years more than 50 million Americans have not had the chance to have their feet on the soil of our country.

And that is why I am thankful for the opportunity we have here this week in the U.S. Senate, an opportunity to celebrate life and to protect life - God’s most amazing gift of all.

I am proud to have joined my colleague and the senior senator from my state, Lindsey Graham, in introducing this version of the Pain Capable legislation in the United States Senate. The studies are very, very clear, that this legislation can save more than 18,000 lives each and every year.  That’s right, 18,000 lives lives each and every year.

We aren’t talking about anything other than the results of sound science, and because of that sound science, we know that at approximately 5 months, babies can feel pain. We know that if a baby were to need pre-natal surgery at that age, they would be given anesthesia. Why? Because that little life, that little life feels pain.

Yesterday, M. President, Senator [Roy] Blunt gave name after name after name of babies born around five months, who have gone on to live healthy and full lives.

This is not about pro-choice or pro-life. It is simply about protecting 10 fingers, 10 toes, and 1 beating heart, and bringing the amazing gift of life to our world.  And in our world, out of nearly 200 nations, only 7 allow abortions on demand after 20 weeks, only 7 out of 200 nations.  Who’s among the 7 nations? China, North Korea, Vietnam and the United States? Really?

And so while I may stand here today with a gnawing in my stomach, I also stand with hope, hope that we can take a massive step forward in protecting life, 18,000 lives a year by passing this important legislation.

America is truly a great nation…so let’s improve our reputation, and not lower our expectations. Because, as John Winthrop said nearly 400 years ago, “We shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us.”

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