H.R. 2764: Sanctity of Life Act of 2013

113th Congress, 2013–2015. Text as of Jul 19, 2013 (Introduced).

Status & Summary | PDF | Source: GPO

HR 2764 IH

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2764

To provide that human life shall be deemed to exist from conception.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 19, 2013

Mr. STOCKMAN (for himself, Mr. NEUGEBAUER, Mr. PEARCE, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. BONNER, and Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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A BILL

To provide that human life shall be deemed to exist from conception.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Sanctity of Life Act of 2013’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND DECLARATION.

(a) Findings- Congress finds that uncontroverted scientific evidence has always shown that actual human life exists from the moment of conception.
(b) Declaration- Upon the basis of these findings, and in the exercise of the powers of the Congress, the Congress hereby declares that human life shall be deemed to exist from fertilization, without regard to race, sex, age, health, defect, or condition of dependency; and ‘person’ shall include all human life as defined herein. Congress further recognizes that each State has a compelling interest in protecting the lives of those within the State’s jurisdiction whom the State rationally regards as human beings.

SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON JURISDICTION.

(a) Chapter 81 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding the following new section and renumbering any appropriate section accordingly:

‘Sec. 1260. Appellate jurisdiction; limitations

‘Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 1253, 1254, and 1257 of this chapter, the Supreme Court shall not have jurisdiction to review, by appeal, writ of certiorari, or otherwise, any case arising out of any statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, practice, or any part thereof, or arising out of any act interpreting, applying, enforcing, or effecting any statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, or practice, on the grounds that such statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, practice, act, or part thereof (1) protects the rights of human persons between conception and birth, or (2) prohibits, limits, or regulates (a) the performance of abortions or (b) the provision of public expense of funds, facilities, personnel, or other assistance for the performance of abortions.’.
(b) The section analysis of chapter 81 of title 28 is amended by adding the following new item:

‘1260. Appellate jurisdiction; limitations.’.

SEC. 4. LIMITATION ON JURISDICTION.

(a) Chapter 85 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section and renumbering any appropriate section accordingly:

‘Sec. 1365. Limitations on jurisdiction

‘Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the district courts shall not have jurisdiction of any case or question which the Supreme Court does not have jurisdiction to review under section 1260 of this title.’.
(b) The section analysis at the beginning of chapter 85 of title 28 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new item:

‘1365. Limitations on jurisdiction.’.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

The provisions of this Act shall take effect immediately upon enactment.

SEC. 6. SEVERABILITY.

     If any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is judicially determined to be invalid, the validity of the remainder of the Act and the application of such provision to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected by such determination.

Make your voice count! Please ask your representatives to support this bill.  You can track this bill at  http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr2764/text

Being A Witness

     This is a reflection from Father Walter Nolte after reading pages 60-65 of "The World's First Love" by Archbishop Fulton Sheen, which is a wonderful book. 
      The word martyr literally means to witness. Members of the early Church bore witness to Jesus Christ in many ways. His Life, Death, and Resurrection were all a part of their living memory. Not only were they aware of the facts of Jesus’ Life but also many of them either witnessed them unfolding or heard first hand accounts from eyewitnesses to the events themselves. 
      What a great gift that was for our first ancestors in the faith to have been present at the birth of the Church. Today’s Church history was their lived experience. Their faith was formed and fashioned by men and women who physically walked with the One we all desire to follow. 
      We are products of their faith, beneficiaries of their witness to their lived experience. We, like them, must be willing to become part of the living memory of the Church. Our lives must bear witness to the truth that He is still with us. Our feet must stand firmly on the path for life and we must be willing to allow our hearts to be pierced so that His living water can flow forth from our lives bearing fruit for the next generation to come.     
     Remember, it only takes a spark to get a fire going. Let’s set the world ablaze with His love by bearing witness to it in our daily lives. Let’s be martyrs for the Lord. 
God bless, 
Father Nolte 


      After I read this my thoughts were turned to how do we witness today and especially how if the next generation are products of our faith, beneficiaries of our witness, what are we leaving them?