Congressman Steve King: UK Courts Shouldn’t Subject Charlie Gard to a Death Sentence

U.S. Congressman Steve King introduced a resolution on Thursday, calling on UK courts to allow Charlie Gard to seek medical care “in any country where such care may be available”.

Congressman King said of his concern over the case:

It will be a horrific affront to every parent’s innate right to care for their children if British courts refuse to allow Charlie Gard’s parents to pursue offered treatment for their son.

Congress should pass my resolution and take a firm stand for the rights of parents and for the life of little Charlie. British courts should not be allowed to subject an innocent, eleven month old child to the equivalent of a death sentence when hope for a cure exists, and when his parents wish to pursue it at their own expense. The world is watching this story unfold, and the British legal system is being judged harshly.

Earlier this week Charlie’s parents sought to dispel some of the myths surrounding Charlie’s condition.

On Thursday, the Gards walked out of court after disputes over the growth of Charlie’s head – an indicator of the boy’s brain development.

King’s resolution reads as follows:

“IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. KING of Iowa submitted the following resolution;

RESOLUTION

Encouraging the courts of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to allow Charles William Gard and Constance Rhoda Keely Yates to pursue innovative medical care for their son.

Whereas human life is sacred and deserving of care and preservation at all stages of development;

Whereas a baby is not a statistic to be managed but rather a life, to be supported in every way possible;

Whereas an experimental treatment exists in the United States that could prolong the life of Charles Matthew William Gard (‘‘Charlie’’);

Whereas a hospital in the United States has offered to admit Charlie for such treatment;

Whereas President Donald J. Trump, moved by Charlie’s struggle, has extended a hand of help to his parents from the United States; and

Whereas parents retain an inherent right to protect and provide for their children, and to seek out all resources and services available to secure life-saving treatments, wherever they may be found, for their children: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the courts of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island and the European Court of Human Rights should allow Charles William Gard and Constance Rhoda Keely Yates to pursue innovative medical care for their son, Charles Matthew William Gard (‘‘Charlie’’ ), in any country where such care may be available, in order to give Charlie the chance to be cured in accordance with his parents’ wishes.”