Life at Conception Act

Summary#

This bill, the Life at Conception Act, declares that the constitutional right to life is vested in every human being, including people before birth. It says a "human person" or "human being" includes every member of the species homo sapiens at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, cloning, or whenever an individual comes into being. The bill cites Congress' authority under Article I, section 8, and section 5 of the 14th Amendment. It also says nothing in the Act allows prosecuting a woman for the death of her unborn child. The text defines "State" to include the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories.

What it means for you#

If enacted, the bill would formally state in federal law that the right to life applies to born and preborn human beings and would define when a human being begins (for example, at fertilization or cloning). The bill names the constitutional powers Congress relies on. The text does not contain details about how the declaration would be enforced, what legal changes would follow, or any funding or regulatory steps.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill's stated purpose is to implement equal protection under the 14th Amendment for the right to life of each born and preborn human person. Sponsors intend to define "human person" to include all members of the human species at all stages of development and to assert congressional authority to do so.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.