President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he will sign an executive order protecting infant survivors of late-term abortions.
"We believe in the joy of family, the blessing of freedom, and the dignity of work, and the eternal truth that every child, born and unborn, is made in the holy image of God," Trump said during his address at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. "I will always protect the vital role of religion and prayer in American society and I will always defend the sacred right to life."
Trump's executive order comes after congressional Democrats blocked a legislative amendment in February that would have protected abortion survivors. Sen. Ben Sasse (R., Neb.) also proposed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, a law that would mandate medical care for infants who survive late-term abortions, but the Democratic minority filibustered it in February.
Sen. Sasse called on Congress to take action following Trump's executive order.
"This is really simple: every baby deserves a fighting chance. Whether she’s born in a state-of-the-art NICU or an abortion clinic in a strip mall, these babies deserve medical care and dignity," Sasse said. "Today’s executive order is a step in the right direction, and it’s time for Congress to change the law to make sure that every baby is protected. Congress ought to follow today’s news by passing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act."