Becerra Claims ‘There Is No Law’ Regarding Partial-Birth Abortion

During a House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra falsely asserted multiple times that United States law bans partial-birth abortions — Congress passed the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act in 2003 — and made clear he does not intend to recognize it.

During the hearing, Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) asked Becerra if he intends to “follow the law,” as he said during his confirmation hearing, and if he agrees that partial-birth abortion is illegal. Becerra responded, “There is no law that deals specifically with the term ‘partial-birth abortion.’”

Bilirakis pressed Becerra if he agreed with the law concerning partial-birth abortion, and Becerra replied, “Well, again, again as I said, there, there is no law that deals specifically with the term partial birth abortions”

Rep. John Joyce (R-PA), a physician, questioned Becerra on the same issue, stressing that partial-birth abortions are prohibited.

Becerra answered, “What I’m trying to explain is that the term partial-birth abortion may be recognized in politics, and by politicians, but it is not a medically recognized term.” As Joyce followed up, repeatedly asking if Becerra agreed that such abortions are against the law, Becerra repeatedly insisted “that a woman is entitled to reproductive rights.”

“Becerra can hardly plead ignorance on this topic. As a freshman congressman, he voted against the ban,” said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “This shameless lie is standard for the most radical pro-abortion administration in history. It should not be hard to recognize that partially delivering a baby and then suctioning his or her brain is not only illegal, but utterly inhumane.”