Rep. Mike Kelly, U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 16th District | Official U.S. House headshot
Rep. Mike Kelly, U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 16th District | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) welcomed Pennsylvanians to Washington, D.C., for the annual March for Life event. Alongside House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-MI), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), and Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Kelly hosted a reception following the march.
"The March for Life provides a critical voice for the voiceless: the unborn," stated Rep. Kelly, expressing gratitude to those who traveled from Western Pennsylvania to participate in the event.
This year's march coincides with Rep. Kelly's reintroduction of the Heartbeat Protection Act, legislation aimed at prohibiting abortions once an unborn child's heartbeat is detected. Previously introduced in both the 117th and 118th Congresses, this bill is co-led by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and has garnered support from 31 co-sponsors.
Rep. Kelly emphasized, "The Heartbeat Protection Act ensures the most vulnerable among us have the same life-affirming protections that every other American enjoys." He added his commitment to protecting children as they represent "100% of our future."
Rep. Chris Smith highlighted advancements in science and medicine that reveal more about early human life stages, stating, “We know that unborn babies have a functional and detectable beating heart by 6 weeks gestational age—a powerful sign of our common humanity and dignity.” He described the Heartbeat Protection Act as crucial in replacing abortion with compassion.
Additionally, on Thursday, Kelly voted in favor of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which mandates care for infants born alive after attempted abortions. This legislation was also co-sponsored by Kelly.
The Heartbeat Protection Act mandates doctors check for fetal heartbeats before performing abortions and imposes criminal penalties on physicians who do not comply or proceed despite detecting a heartbeat unless necessary to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incest. The act does not override existing state laws but sets a minimum standard that states can exceed if desired.
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