Tallahassee, FL – Pastor Paula White-Cain, human rights advocate, Senior Advisor to America First Works, and Chair for the Center for American Values at the America First Policy Institute, made the following statement today in support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signing the Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality Bill (House Bill 5), also known as the 15-week abortion ban bill, into law.
“I am so encouraged to see my home state of Florida enact the strongest pro-life bill in state history to protect our voiceless and most vulnerable population,” said Pastor Paula White-Cain. “Our sunshine state is fortunate to have a governor and so many in the legislature who prioritize protecting the unborn, supporting women and family health, and preserving the fundamental right to life.”
Of the nearly 75,000 abortions reported in Florida in 2020, there were an estimated 3,330 abortions performed at 15-week gestation or later, according to the Charlotte Lozier Institute and data from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. The new Florida law will ban most abortions after 15 weeks. Laws challenging abortion rights have already been enacted this year in Mississippi and Arizona, and a survey shows more Americans support the idea of a 15-week abortion ban than oppose it. In October 2022, Texas enacted one of the strictest abortion laws, making it illegal after six weeks.
Modern medicine and science now confirm the substantial developmental milestones of an unborn baby at 15 weeks of gestational age, information not known previously or understood when Roe v. Wade was decided nearly half a century ago. Health studies also suggest severe health risks late-term abortions pose for women.
The new Florida law, introduced by State Representative Erin Grall (FL-54), makes investments in evidence-based initiatives to reduce fetal and infant mortality rates, including enhancing fetal and infant mortality review commissions statewide and developing a new anti-tobacco education campaign for pregnant women and women who may become pregnant. The law additionally ensures collaboration between hospitals and healthcare community efforts to help reduce infant mortality. Read more about the new Florida law here.
America First Works, Inc. is a 501(c)(4) that will ignite the spirit of the nation. America First Works believes in the American people, and will fight for a pro-America America where freedom, equality and justice continue to be the foundation of the republic. America First Works is comprised of patriots who will deliver the America First agenda for generations to come.