Washington DC -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today cast her vote in favor of H.R. 1997, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 254-163.  The legislation would charge those who injure or kill an unborn victim with a separate offense in addition to the assault on the mother.

“This bill meets an important need by making criminals liable for harming expectant mothers and their unborn children during the commission of a violent crime.  When a pregnant woman is killed and her child dies with her, there are two murders to account for in law.  There should be distinct penalties for each,” Emerson said.

 

Under current law, an individual being tried in federal court for the commission of a violent crime toward an expectant mother faces no additional punishment for killing or injuring the unborn child.  Already, 29 states have passed similar legislation.

 

“This is not just a symbolic act,” Emerson said.  “This is a real heartache for families across America who have lost their children to malice and violence.  In many cases, no one has had to answer for these crimes.  It is a terrible oversight that these crimes go unpunished.”

 

Momentum for the bill came after the high-profile murder of Laci Peterson and her unborn son, Conner, last year, and the legislation is also known as Laci and Conner’s Law.