The Senate Passed the Passage of "Unborn Victims" Act

President Bush and religious conservatives cheered the Senate's passage Thursday of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. The bill marks the second big legislative win for the pro-life movement recently, along with last year's enactment of the partial-birth abortion ban.

Focus on the Family Chairman James C. Dobson applauded, "those 61 senators who voted in defense of the most innocent victims in our society. Today's vote affirms in law what is common sense to more than 80 percent of Americans -- there are two victims in violent crimes committed against pregnant women and their preborn children.¡¨

"The two life-affirming pieces of legislation makes this "a triumphant year for every American who believes all life is precious." Dobson added.

The Senate passed the bill known as "Laci and Conner's Law" by a vote of 61-38. It is named after Laci Peterson and her unborn child, Conner, victims of highly publicized murders in California. It gives a fetus separate victim's rights when a pregnant woman is attacked. The House passed similar legislation in a 254-163 vote on Feb. 26.

"Pregnant women who have been harmed by violence, and their families, know that there are two victims--the mother and the unborn child--and both should be protected by federal law," Bush said in a statement. "I look forward to signing this important legislation into law."

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said, "When President Bush signs the Unborn Victims of Violence Act into law, our nation will be one giant step closer to rebuilding a culture of life, where every child--born and unborn--is given the protections they so clearly deserve."

Cathy Cleaver Ruse, spokeswoman for the United States Catholic Bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, said the vote provides justice for women and children. "No woman should ever be told she lost nothing when she loses her child to a brutal attacker," Ruse said in a statement.

Concerned Women for America calls the bill's passage an "exciting victory." Wendy Wright, the group's senior policy director, cites the direct influence of a criminal case in California on the measure's approval.