Sanctity of Human Life Act
Background: The Sanctity of Human Life Act is a form of human life bill. It has as its official title, “To provide that human life shall be deemed to begin with fertilization.” The measure has two main sections, a Declaration (Sec. 2) and Definitions (Sec. 3). In the exercise of its powers under the U. S. Constitution, including under Art. 1, Sec. 8 and Art. 14, Sec. 5, Congress declares that “(A) the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being, and is the paramount and most fundamental right of a person; and (B) the life of each human being begins with fertilization, cloning, or its functional equivalent, irrespective of sex, health, function or disability, defect, stage of biological development, or condition of dependency, at which time every human being shall have all the legal and constitutional attributes and privileges of personhood,” and Congress affirms that “the Congress, each State, the District of Columbia, and all United States territories have the authority to protect the lives of all human beings residing in its respective jurisdictions” (Sec. 2). The bill also defines the terms fertilization, cloning, human, and human being (Sec. 3).
House: On January 7, 2009, Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) introduced the Sanctity of Human Life Act (H.R. 227). The measure has 54 cosponsors. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee. | |
