A new bill introduced by Republican Representative Eric Burlison of Missouri aims to ban all abortions in the United States by defining unborn children as “persons” under the 14th Amendment. Known as the Life at Conception Act, the legislation states that “every life is a sacred gift from God, deserving of dignity and protection from the moment of conception.” Burlison argues that the bill fulfills Congress’ constitutional authority to define personhood and protect the unborn.
Burlison defended the proposal, stating, “I am strongly pro-life and will always fight to protect the lives of the unborn. My record is clear, both in Missouri and Washington, D.C., I have consistently voted to protect the life of the child and the health of the mother.” However, the bill makes no exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or threats to a woman’s health. If passed, it would override existing state laws and prohibit abortion nationwide.
Critics warn that such a ban could have severe consequences for women’s healthcare. Studies have shown that abortion restrictions lead to delays in miscarriage care and increase maternal mortality rates. Some experts also argue that bans negatively affect the overall quality of reproductive healthcare, impacting not only women but also medical providers navigating legal uncertainties.
The bill requires 218 votes in the House of Representatives to move forward before heading to the Senate, where it would need 51 votes to pass. With Democrats opposing the measure and legal challenges expected, the fate of the legislation remains uncertain.
