Press Releases

Today, on World Down Syndrome Day, Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) is reintroducing the Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act. The act federally prohibits doctors from knowingly performing an abortion because of a baby’s prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis. 
 
“All children deserve the right to life, and aborting a child based solely on their genetic condition with an additional chromosome is discriminatory,” said Rep. Estes. “We must fight for the voiceless and most vulnerable members of our society. Individuals with Down syndrome are a blessing to our communities and families, often having an exceptional quality of life – working, being a part of a family, participating in sports, and more. Yet unborn children with a Down syndrome diagnosis are facing discrimination in the womb, and it is tragically wrong.”
 
The bill prohibits any person from coercing a woman to abort her unborn child because of a Down syndrome diagnosis. The legislation places the responsibility on the doctors who perform the abortions, not the women who receive the abortions. Violators can face a fine, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
 
The Joint Economic Committee estimates that 60% to 90% of unborn children diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted in the United States, a disproportionate amount when compared to the estimated 18% of all pregnancies that end in abortion.