Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This bill would make it a federal crime to perform an abortion specifically because the unborn child has Down syndrome, adding protections against what some call 'discriminatory abortion.'
Why it matters: Christian families who believe in the sanctity of unborn life have a direct stake in laws that restrict abortion, especially on grounds of disability; this bill reflects pro-life convictions about the worth of children with Down syndrome.
Topic: Sanctity of life · classifier confidence 95%
What this changes
Amends existing law
Law today: Federal law in title 18, United States Code, does not currently prohibit abortion based on fetal Down syndrome diagnosis.
If passed: The bill would make it a federal crime to perform an abortion when the decision is motivated by or based on a Down syndrome diagnosis. This would restrict abortion access for families who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome and choose to end the pregnancy for that reason.
AI-generated from the bill text — verify against the official text.
Likely supporters & opponents
Likely support
- Pro-life groups — The bill protects the lives of unborn children with Down syndrome and reflects the value and dignity of people living with Down syndrome.
- Disability-rights advocates who oppose discrimination — Selective abortion based on disability status constitutes discrimination against people with Down syndrome and devalues their lives.
Likely opposition
- Pro-choice advocacy organizations — The bill restricts women's constitutional right to make reproductive decisions in consultation with their doctors and families, and imposes a specific religious or moral view on abortion.
- Medical associations and reproductive-health providers — The bill interferes with doctors' ability to counsel patients on all medical options after diagnosis and could criminalize standard medical practice.
AI-inferred typical positions based on the bill’s substance — general stakeholder categories, not confirmed endorsements.
Should I support this?
Likely helpful for Christian families
From a Christian pro-life perspective that views unborn life as having inherent dignity from conception, this bill provides legal protection for unborn children with Down syndrome and reinforces the principle that disability is not a justification for ending a life. However, families who hold different theological views on abortion or reproductive autonomy may experience it as restrictive.
An AI assessment from a Christian-family perspective — religious freedom, parental rights, and freedom in education — not legal or voting advice.
Official summary
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit discrimination by abortion against an unborn child on the basis of Down syndrome.
Sponsors
- Steve Daines (R)
- James Lankford (R)
- James Risch (R)
- Kevin Cramer (R)
- Ted Budd (R)
- Jim Banks (R)
- John Boozman (R)
- Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)
- Katie Boyd Britt (R)
- Josh Hawley (R)
- Tim Sheehy (R)
- Roger Wicker (R)
- Pete Ricketts (R)
- John Barrasso (R)
Status timeline
- 2025-01-23Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.S
H = House · S = Senate · A = Assembly