Republican legislator introduces federal 'Sanctity of Human Life Act' in U.S. Congress

A Republican representative from Georgia has introduced a federal bill in the U.S. Congress declaring that life begins at conception.

Rep. Jody Hice presented House Resolution 586, also known as the "Sanctity of Human Life Act," just days before the 44th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Christian News reported.

Hice, a former pastor of Bethlehem First Baptist Church and The Summit Church, said in a statement last week that the resolution recognizes the inalienable right to life outlined in the Declaration of Independence.

"Today, with the right to life under attack, now more than ever before, we must stand up as advocates for the unborn. Our culture must affirm the value of the weak and vulnerable in our society, beginning with our children," said Hice.

"With that in mind, I introduced the Sanctity of Human Life Act, which rightly defines life as beginning at conception." he continued.

The legislation also declares that Congress and each state has the right "to protect the lives of all human beings residing in its respective jurisdictions."

If passed, the legislation could make the "day after pill" as well as abortion illegal, according to Outlook Ohio.

Others have feared that the resolution would also affect the procedure known as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Critics were concerned that IVF would be criminalized if embryos created in a lab do not turn into successful pregnancies.

However, North Carolina congressman Robert Pittenger, who is co-sponsoring the legislation, gave his assurance that it would not affect IVF, as it is only a declaration, not a regulatory bill.

"It's certainly not a legislative bill. It just says that life begins at inception," he told Eyewitness News.

Other co-sponsors of the resolution include Reps. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.), Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) and Blake Farenthold (R-Texas).

The bill has not been changed or voted on since it was introduced in Washington two weeks ago.

Similar measures have been proposed before, but opponents fear the bill has a greater chance of being signed into law with Republicans in control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate and the White House.