That it is the sense of the Senate that—
Congress and States should gather information about and correct—
abusive, unsanitary, and illegal abortion practices; and
the interstate referral of women and girls to facilities engaged in dangerous or illegal second- and third-trimester procedures;
Congress has the responsibility to—
investigate and conduct hearings on—
abortions performed near, at, or after viability in the United States; and
public policies regarding such abortions; and
evaluate the extent to which such abortions involve violations of the natural right to life of infants who are born alive or are capable of being born alive, and therefore are entitled to equal protection under the law;
there is a compelling governmental interest in protecting the lives of unborn children beginning at least from the stage at which substantial medical evidence indicates that they are capable of feeling pain, which is separate from and independent of the compelling governmental interest in protecting the lives of unborn children beginning at the stage of viability, and neither governmental interest is intended to replace the other; and
governmental review of public policies and outcomes relating to the issues described in paragraphs (1) through (4) is long overdue and is an urgent priority that must be addressed for the sake of women, children, families, and future generations.