Partial-Birth Abortion -Best Internet Archive on Partial-Birth Abortion

The Pain of Partial-Birth Abortion

During the first year after the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act was introduced in mid-1995, many opponents of the bill, such as NARAL's Kate Michelman and syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman, insisted that anesthesia given to the mother painlessly kills the babies before they are pulled feet-first from the womb and stabbed through the back of the skull. But in congressional testimony in 1996 -- virtually ignored by the news media -- this myth was emphatically refuted by the heads of the two major professional societies of anesthesiologists. Other experts testified that the babies are alive and fully capable of experiencing great pain during a partial-birth abortion. To learn more about the pain that partial-birth abortion inflicts on pre-mature human babies, and about the "anesthesia myth," click here.

"Partial-Birth Abortion on Trial," by Cathy Cleaver Ruse, Esq. (Human Life Review, Spring 2005) Read the shocking sworn testimony, in federal court, by those who perform partial-birth abortions. (PDF file)

On October 29, 2003, NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson debated Center for Reproductive Rights President Nancy Northup on NPR's nationally broadcast "Diane Rehm Show" on the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. If you have the common RealPlayer software on your computer, you can listen to the program by clicking here.

"To the Point"
On June 10, 2003, NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson was a guest on "To the Point," a radio program produced by Public Radio International and KCRW-FM in Los Angeles, which is broadcast on a number of radio stations around the nation, concerning the implications of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. The other guests -- all supporters of Roe v. Wade -- were Planned Parenthood of America President Gloria Feldt, Prof. Jeffrey Rosen, Prof. David Garrow, and Prof. George Lakoff. Hear the 40-minute audio recording by clicking here. (requires RealPlayer)

Key Document
Revived media myths about Roe v. Wade: An important and timely memo for journalists and policymakers (Feb. 14, 2003)
To view or download PDF version, click HERE (requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader)
To view or download WordPerfect version, click HERE

"Call It Partial-Birth Abortion -- It's the Law!" NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson explains why the term "partial-birth abortion" is accurate and is the ONLY legally correct term for what the bill bans -- and why pro-abortion groups hate the term -- June 19, 1997
(PDF file)

Letter from the American Medical Association endorsing the 1997 version of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. The AMA did not endorse the legislation in later years because it decided it would not support abortion bills with criminal penalties, but the organization never contradicted the factual statements made in this letter that partial-birth abortion "is not good medicine" and "not medically indicated." (May 19, 1997)
PDF version (requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader)

"Daschle Bill May Not Ban Anything," The Washington Times (May 15, 1997). This article contains revealing quotes from both sides about Sen. Daschle's "phony ban" amendment to the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act (which later became Sen. Durbin's "phony ban") (PDF file) -- May 15, 1997

Under the legal doctrine of Roe v. Wade, it's not what you are, it's where you are. For over 12 weeks, one baby girl was a legally protected "person," but her TWIN SISTER was not. Read about it here. � April 2, 1997 (PDF file)

Which side told the truth?
Which side told the truth about partial-birth abortion? Read the very first -- and very accurate -- factsheet that NRLC sent to journalists about the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, on June 21, 1995
(PDF file)