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Bill

S 4880

A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit dismemberment abortions, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Jim Banks and 10 co-sponsors

The bill would federally ban dismemberment abortions, making performing or attempting such procedures a federal offense with penalties, definitions, and limited medical exceptions.

Introduced in Senate
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4880

Overview

S. 4880 is a proposed federal bill in the 119th Congress titled “A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit dismemberment abortions, and for other purposes.” The measure was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Judiciary Committee for consideration. A group of Republican senators is listed as sponsors or co-sponsors.

Purpose and intent

  • The primary stated objective is to prohibit dismemberment abortions at the federal level. The term “dismemberment abortion” commonly refers to an abortion procedure in which a fetus is dismembered in the uterus to complete the abortion, typically associated with dilation and extraction methods.
  • The bill aims to amend Title 18 of the United States Code to implement this prohibition, and it includes provisions described as “for other purposes,” which may signal additional related constraints or penalties.

Key provisions and changes (as typically anticipated in similar bills)

  • Prohibition: The bill would criminalize dismemberment abortions by amending federal law. It would establish that performing or attempting such a procedure constitutes a federal offense.
  • Penalties: The bill would specify criminal penalties for physicians, other medical personnel, or possibly institutions that perform dismemberment abortions. Penalty details (e.g., fines, imprisonment terms) are typically included in the text of such legislation, though the exact language is not provided in the summary.
  • Scope and definitions: The bill would define terms such as “dismemberment abortion” and clarify the medical contexts in which the prohibition applies (e.g., at what gestational ages, exceptions, and what constitutes a “dismemberment” procedure).
  • Exceptions: Legislation of this type often includes exceptions related to medical emergencies to protect the life or health of the mother. It may or may not include carve-outs for certain fetal viability considerations, depending on the draft.
  • Enforcement and jurisdiction: Provisions may address federal jurisdiction, coordination with state laws, and enforcement mechanisms, including potential reporting or oversight duties for medical professionals and facilities.
  • “For other purposes”: Additional provisions could address related abortion-related regulations, definitions, or administrative processes to implement the ban, or ancillary measures such as funding, compliance standards, or review requirements.

Who would be affected

  • Medical professionals performing abortions (particularly obstetricians/gynecologists and other clinicians, abortion clinics, and affiliated staff) would be directly impacted by the prohibition and potential penalties.
  • Patients seeking dismemberment abortions could be affected by decreased availability of this specific procedure and potential shifts toward alternative abortion methods available under federal law.
  • Hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities that provide abortion services could be subject to compliance requirements, reporting obligations, and potential liability.
  • Federal prosecutors and law enforcement could see the creation or reinforcement of offenses and enforcement mechanisms.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Judiciary Committee for consideration.
  • Status: As of the latest action, it has been read twice and referred to the Judiciary Committee on June 24, 2026. There is no information here about further committee actions, floor debates, or passage at the time of this summary.
  • Sponsor landscape: The bill lists multiple Republican co-sponsors, indicating a broad base of support within the party coalition in the Senate.

Notes and considerations

  • The proposed approach would create a federal offense related to a specific abortion technique, which intersects with state abortion laws and ongoing judicial and political debates surrounding abortion access and regulation.
  • If enacted, enforcement would depend on federal enforcement mechanisms and could implicate medical professionals’ licensure, criminal liability, and potential civil implications in addition to criminal penalties.
  • The exact text would specify precise definitions, carve-outs for medical emergencies, gestational limits (if any), and the range of penalties, which are critical for understanding practical impact and constitutional considerations.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize potential constitutional issues, expected enforcement mechanisms, or compare with similar existing statutes to provide a deeper analysis.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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