Majority of Americans Agree – Babies with Heartbeats Shouldn’t be Aborted

A new poll conducted by the Barna Group reveals that an overwhelming majority of Americans (nearly 7 out of 10) agree with the premise of the ‘Heartbeat Protection Act of 2017.’  [read my January 23, 2017 blog posting – “Pro-Life Legislation Introduced in U.S. Congress”]

Otherwise known as the ‘Federal Heartbeat Bill’ [HR 490] was offered by pro-life U.S. Rep. Steve King (IA-R) who has vowed to introduce the bill into every Congress until it is adopted.  In a nutshell, the bill would prohibit abortions everywhere in America whenever a fetal heartbeat is detected.

According to the Barna findings, 69% of Americans agree with the statement – “If a doctor is able to detect the heartbeat of an unborn baby, that unborn baby should be legally protected.”

While the measure has much greater support among Republicans (86%) and Independents (61%), even a majority of Democrats (55%) who were polled said they supported the statement.

Janet Porter, president of Faith2Action was the author of the language in the original ‘Heartbeat Bill’ introduced in Ohio in 2011.  That bill was finally adopted by the state legislature in 2016, but vetoed by Gov. John Kasich over threats of legal action against the law.  “The heartbeat is the medical measurement of life,” Porter said.  “It’s the reason you’ve never been to the funeral of someone with a heartbeat.  Like an SOS telegraph, the child in the womb is sending a signal we can no longer ignore.  To deny it is to deny science.”

Faith2Action legislative director Rachelle Heidlebaugh has herself experienced the heartbreak associated with abortion.  She said HR 490 provides a voice to unborn children from the womb to mothers who were never told about their babies’ beating hearts before taking their life.

“I urge Congress to pass the common sense Heartbeat Bill—the first step to make America safe again,” Porter added.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel