Contact: J.P. Duffy or Alice Chao, 866-372-6397; both with Family Research Council 

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced that the House will be voting on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) and Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). The vote for the bill will occur next week.

This bill will prohibit late abortion on unborn babies after five months after fertilization due to unborn babies' ability to feel pain. The updated bill includes care and protection for women and girls who are victims of rape, while holding abortionists accountable for late term abortions.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:

"The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is of critical importance in saving up to thirteen thousand babies a year from a gruesomely painful death from late term abortion.

"It also is based on the idea that Congress has a compelling interest in protecting unborn babies from experiencing pain. Medical science today shows that at this time babies can experience excruciating pain. Congress should act to stop this cruel practice.

"There are greater protections for babies born alive and a required 48-hour waiting period for excepted abortions. The bill also upholds the sexual assault reporting requirements of the states.

"FRC fully supports this bill, and commends the hard work of Members of Congress to strengthen this bill. I urge the House to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and send it on to the Senate expeditiously," concluded Perkins.