U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), together with Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and several Republican colleagues, has introduced the Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act. The bill aims to ensure that medical students and residents are not pressured or forced into abortion training if it conflicts with their moral or religious beliefs.
Senator Cornyn stated, “The first rule of medicine is to do no harm, yet for many aspiring doctors, coerced abortion training not only contradicts that oath but also violates their moral and religious beliefs. By allowing medical residents to opt-in rather than opt-out of abortion training, this legislation would protect health care professionals’ convictions and give them the freedom to practice medicine without fear of retaliation.”
The legislation is led by Senator Lankford and cosponsored by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jim Banks (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Katie Britt (R-AL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN).
Currently, rules from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education allow residents to opt out of abortion training. However, critics argue that this system can pressure trainees to participate in procedures against their beliefs due to concerns about evaluations or future career prospects.
The proposed act would change the current opt-out system to an opt-in approach. This would let residents choose whether they want to participate in abortion training while protecting them from discrimination or retaliation if they decide not to take part.
Several organizations have endorsed the bill, including AAPLOG Action, SBA, ADF, AUL, NRLC, CURE, CatholicVote, Vitae Foundation, Human Coalition, March for Life Action, Heartbeat International, SFLA Action, CWALAC, ERLC, Live Action, Heritage Action, FPA, Liberty Counsel, FRC, and Liberty Counsel Action.
Senator Cornyn has a history of electoral success in Texas Senate races. In 2020 he won against MJ Hegar with 53.5% of the vote; in 2014 he defeated David Alameel with 61.6%; in 2008 he beat Rick Noriega with 54.8%; and in 2002 he prevailed over Ron Kirk with 55%.
