Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
The bill adds a new federal crime to Title 18 prohibiting abortion performed, in whole or in part, because an unborn child is diagnosed with or suspected of having Down syndrome. It creates criminal penalties (fines and up to 5 years imprisonment), civil causes of action for the woman, certain relatives, and the Attorney General, mandatory reporting by medical personnel, a prohibition on transporting a woman across state lines for such an abortion, and deems violations discrimination under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Left emphasizes reproductive autonomy and privacy concerns
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill clearly frames a substantive legal change and supplies many of the standard statutory elements for a criminal prohibition and private right of action (definitions, offenses, penalties, remedies, reporting, privacy protections, and integration instructions).
The bill adds a new federal crime to Title 18 prohibiting abortion performed, in whole or in part, because an unborn child is diagnosed with or suspected of having Down syndrome.
It creates criminal penalties (fines and up to 5 years imprisonment), civil causes of action for the woman, certain relatives, and the Attorney General, mandatory reporting by medical personnel, a prohibition on transporting a woman across state lines for such an abortion, and deems violations discrimination under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
The bill defines ‘‘abortion’’ and ‘‘unborn child’’ broadly (including from fertilization), provides privacy protections in court, bars prosecution of the woman, and requires expedited judicial consideration of cases.
Highly controversial federal abortion restriction with enforcement and constitutional risk; narrow focus helps some supporters but limits bipartisan appeal.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill clearly frames a substantive legal change and supplies many of the standard statutory elements for a criminal prohibition and private right of action (definitions, offenses, penalties, remedies, reporting, privacy protections, and integration instructions).
Left emphasizes reproductive autonomy and privacy concerns
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Left emphasizes reproductive autonomy and privacy concerns
Likely to view the bill as a targeted federal ban that criminalizes certain abortions and expands civil liability and reporting obligations for medical providers.
They would emphasize threats to reproductive autonomy, provider–patient confidentiality, and access to abortion and prenatal care.
They would be concerned about chilling effects on prenatal testing, medical decision-making, and interstate travel for care.
Likely to have mixed views: supportive of anti-discrimination goals but wary of criminal penalties, federal intrusion into medical decisions, and litigation burdens.
Would seek clearer narrow scope, strong health-of-woman exceptions, and safeguards against unintended consequences.
Concerned about legal conflicts with state law and likely constitutional challenges.
Likely to view the bill favorably as advancing pro-life objectives and protecting unborn children with Down syndrome from discrimination-based abortion.
Will see criminal penalties and civil remedies as appropriate enforcement tools and appreciate the Rehabilitation Act linkage.
Some conservatives may still prefer state-level action, but many will support a federal standard against disability-selective abortion.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Highly controversial federal abortion restriction with enforcement and constitutional risk; narrow focus helps some supporters but limits bipartisan appeal.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Left emphasizes reproductive autonomy and privacy concerns
Highly controversial federal abortion restriction with enforcement and constitutional risk; narrow focus helps some supporters but limits b…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill clearly frames a substantive legal change and supplies many of the standard statutory elements for a criminal prohibition and private right of action (definitions, of…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.