AG Lynch Dodges When Asked About Bill Protecting Babies Born During Abortions

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch refused to answer a question this week about whether she would support or enforce legislation that protects babies who are born alive during abortions.

Rep. Trent Franks introduced The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which the House passed in September. The Senate has not yet taken up the legislation.

“There’s legislation here in the Congress that’s passed the House that would give definitive protection to born alive – now, I’m not talking about unborn babies – but born alive babies that have survived the abortion process,” said Franks to Lynch, during her testimony before the House Judiciary Committee this week.

“Would you support that legislation, and would you enforce it if it were in statute?”

Lynch would not answer the questions about enforcing the law, and instead focused attention on the pending legislation.

“Congressman, I have not seen those drafts,” she responded. “Certainly with respect to any draft legislation proposed by this body, the Department of Justice will review it and provide the relevant input to you for your help and for your use.”

“But generally would you support legislation supporting born alive abortion survivors?” Trent asked again.

“Not having seen the drafts, I’m not able to comment on specifics,” she insisted.

Franks persisted, asking whether, “just generally,” Lynch supported such laws.

“We would look at whatever proposals you have –” Lynch said.

“Born alive. Born alive,” he pressed her.

Lynch repeated she “would look at whatever proposals you have, Congressman.”

“That’s too bad you can’t answer a question like that,” Franks finally said.

Lynch also said during her testimony that she has not reviewed the videos produced by Center for Medical Progress that exposed Planned Parenthood’s apparent practices of selling the body parts of unborn babies and altering babies’ positions during abortions so as to harvest intact organs.

“Is the Department of Justice currently investigating Planned Parenthood based on the footage released by the Center for Medical Progress, and if so, what’s the status of that investigation and, if not, why not?” Franks asked.

“We have received a number of requests for information as well as congressional requests and referrals on this matter because we are still reviewing it,” Lynch replied. “I’m not able to comment on the nature or status of that at this time, sir.”

Lynch said she was “aware of the news reports about” the videos.

“Have you personally reviewed any of the videos released by the Center for Medical Progress?” asked Franks. “If so, was there anything in their videos that you found disturbing?”

“Congressman, I have not undertaken a review of the videos,” Lynch said. “I am, of course, aware of the news reports about them. As I indicated, all of the information received by the Department is currently under review so I don’t have any further comment on it at this time.”