Anti-abortion Lamborn proposal would extend personhood status to ‘unborn children’

A Republican congressman from Colorado introduced legislation aiming to recognize embryos and fetuses in the womb as persons entitled to equal protection under federal law.

Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs introduced the Recognizing Life Resolution on Monday. The resolution argues that the 14th Amendment — which guarantees a person’s right to life and liberty — was always intended to protect “unborn children” as early as conception. 

The legislation would recognize that “unborn children are legal and constitutional persons who are entitled to the equal protection of the laws.” Lamborn proposed the legislation with the intent of ending abortion across the country. A news release from Lamborn says the bill is consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision last year in Dobbs v. Jackson, which removed constitutional protection of abortion rights.

“While we are grateful that Roe has been overturned, there is still much work to be done to advance and strengthen the protection of human life, beginning in the womb,” Lamborn said in a statement. “The Recognizing Life Resolution is the new north star that will guide future legislation and set the precedent for our nation to secure equal protection for unborn children and preserve the sanctity of life.“

Colorado has continued to protect the right to access abortion care with the passage of the Reproductive Health Equity Act last year.

Colorado voters also shut down three ballot initiatives since 2008 that would have assigned certain legal rights associated with “personhood” to the unborn, as well as a 2020 initiative to ban abortion after 22 weeks. 

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Silt Republican, is also a co-sponsor on Lamborn’s resolution, as are 19 other Republican members of the House.