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SENATOR McCAIN STATEMENT ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CHILD CUSTODY PROTECTION ACT
January 23, 2008
Mr. President, today in Washington, D.C., thousands of people of all ages are taking part in the annual March for Life and staking a claim for the rights of the unborn. I commend them and am in awe of their great dedication to the cause of protecting life. I share their strong pro life beliefs and I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Child Custody Protection Act that is being introduced today.
This is one of the most important pieces of legislation to be introduced during this Congress and for good reason. While more than 20 States require a minor to receive parental consent prior to obtaining an abortion, these laws are being violated. Today, minors with the assistance of adults–who are not their parents–are being transported across State lines to receive abortions without obtaining parental consent. We need to end this circumvention of State laws and, far more importantly, the consequences such actions have on life.
This legislation would make it a federal offense to knowingly transport a minor across a state line for the purpose of an abortion, in circumvention of a state’s parental consent or notification laws, unless it is needed to save the life of the minor. We have attempted to enact similar legislation in previous Congresses without success and it is critical that we do not allow opponents to further stall its enactment.
I am and always have been pro-life and my record during my tenure in Congress reflects my strong belief that life is sacred. We must stand up for the rights of the unborn and do all that we can to enact this important legislation.
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