U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, who represents South Dakota and previously served as the state’s governor, has introduced the Life at Conception Act in the Senate. The proposed legislation seeks to extend 14th Amendment protections to unborn children by clarifying that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution applies from the moment of conception.
According to Rounds, “Life at all stages is a gift from God and should be treated with dignity. The Life at Conception Act would protect the right to life in the Constitution to human beings at all stages, including in the womb. I’m pleased to be leading this legislation in the Senate with the support of my colleagues to protect the sanctity of human life.”
The bill is supported by several Republican senators: Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee), John Kennedy (Louisiana), Roger Wicker (Mississippi), Tommy Tuberville (Alabama), Kevin Cramer (North Dakota), Bill Hagerty (Tennessee), Mike Crapo (Idaho), Jim Banks (Indiana), John Hoeven (North Dakota), Steve Daines (Montana) and John Boozman (Arkansas). Representative Eric Burlison of Missouri leads similar legislation in the House.
Blackburn stated, “Life is precious and begins at the moment of conception, and it is our solemn duty to make certain the rights of every unborn child are enshrined into law. As people around the world come together for the March for Life in D.C., I am pleased to join Senator Rounds in introducing the Life at Conception Act to ensure equal protection under the 14th Amendment for every human being at all stages of life.”
Daines added, “One of the foundational rights that America is built on is the right to life. This basic Constitutional principle safeguards the right to life for everyone in our nation- including unborn children. I’m proud to work with Senator Rounds and our colleagues on the Life at Conception Act, which protects our most vulnerable by affirming the biological truth that life begins at conception.”
Crapo commented, “We have a moral responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us. By recognizing life at conception, we affirm that the right to life is fundamental and universal.”
Hagerty said, “The life of every child is precious and worthy of our protection. We cannot deny the protection of the Fourteenth Amendment to the most vulnerable among us. I am pleased to support Senator Rounds’ legislation.”
Cramer noted, “The right to life is enshrined in the Constitution and is our most fundamental right. We know life begins at conception, and The Life at Conception Act recognizes this obvious and powerful truth.”
Burlison stated, “Every life is a sacred gift from God, worthy of dignity and protection from moment of conception. The Life at Conception Act affirms Congress’s constitutional authority to define personhood and protect unborn children. I’m grateful to Senator Rounds for introducing Senate companion bill and remain committed to defending life, as my record in Missouri and Washington clearly shows.”
The bill has received endorsements from organizations such as National Pro-Life Alliance, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee and Family Research Council.
Martin Fox from National Pro-Life Alliance said: “For more than twenty years, members of National Pro-Life Alliance have championed The Life at Conception Act. We are honored that Senator Rounds is taking lead on a bill that is now more important than ever due many loopholes abortionists are using get around state protections for unborn… The Life at Conception Act reaffirms original intention writers 14th Amendment by declaring word ‘person’ includes all persons from moment conception.”
Marilyn Musgrave with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America added: “The Life at Conception Act affirms a simple foundational truth backed by science designed by God – from moment conception unique human life formed… Our laws should recognize dignity humanity inherent worth every unborn child… Thank you Senator Rounds your steadfast pro-life leadership defend most vulnerable Americans.”
Kristan Hawkins with Students for Life Action & Students for Life of America said: “Recognizing unique human being begins moment conception… What makes this measure gold standard recognizing value every life acknowledgement legal rights preborn children rooted 14th Amendment Constitution United States… SFLAction gives this legislation strongest endorsement will score both votes sponsorships bill.”
Penny Nance with Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee commented: “Declaration Independence stated all people have fundamental right life; it time Congress recognize truth extends children womb… The Life At Conception Act declares what most Americans believe what science long known – that life begins conception therefore preborn babies entitled protection offered 14th Amendment…”
Rounds serves on committees including Appropriations and Armed Services while also addressing national security issues according his official website. He joined U.S. Senate on January 6, 2015 accordingto his biography, after earning a political science degree from a South Dakota university and working in insurance and real estate.
Rounds maintains offices across South Dakota—in Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Aberdeen—as well as one office in Washington D.C., according to his official site.