In terms of legislation, this just may be the most pro-life Congress Washington has ever seen. Returning pro-life senators like [mc_name name=’Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’M000355′ ] (R-KY) and Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) have spearheaded former pro-life legislative efforts, as well as representatives like Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). What’s more, an historic 21 pro-life women are now serving in Congress – and they’ve already shown that is more than just a number. On the very day the 114th Congress was sworn in, legislators re-introduced a significant piece of life saving legislation.

The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, HR 36, would ban abortions after 20 weeks, when unborn babies can feel pain. The lead sponsors of the bill are Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona (R-AZ) and [mc_name name=’Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)’ chamber=’house’ mcid=’B001243′ ] of Tennessee.

Franks sponsored the same legislation in 2013, and put forward a bill in 2011 to ban sex selective and race based abortion.

 In 2014, Blackburn proved what a pro-life warrior she is by offering a powerful testimony against the pro-abortion and ill-named “Women’s Health Protection Act,” legislation that would have overridden several federal and state pro-life laws around the country. At one point in her remarks, Blackburn displayed an ultrasound photo of her grandson as proof that this truly was an instance of life or death.

Here was her statement on behalf of her and Rep. Frank’s sponsorship of the bill, insisting, in part, on the need to prevent more Kermit Gosnells:

“We have a moral obligation to end dangerous late-term abortions in order to protect women and these precious babies from criminals like Kermit Gosnell and others who prey on the most vulnerable in our society,” Blackburn said. “The United States is one of the few remaining countries in the world that allows abortion after 20 weeks. That is why today we renew our efforts to protect the lives of babies and their mothers with the introduction of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. [mc_name name=’Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ)’ chamber=’house’ mcid=’F000448′ ] and I have been a good team moving this legislation through the House as we continue to lead the fight to ensure the unborn are provided the same protections that all human life deserves.”

The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act passed the House of Representatives in 2013, yet progressed no further as President Obama vetoed it and the Senate refused to take it up for a vote. However, with Reid now sidelined as a result of the November midterm elections, the law has a more promising road. Should the bill pass the House, the new Senate Majority Leader [mc_name name=’Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’M000355′ ] has already pledged to take the bill up for a vote.

Unfortunately, there’s still that presidential veto threat hanging in the air. President Obama has made it clear that he’s no fan of the pro-life movement. In 2007, he received a 100 percent score from the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council for his pro-abortion agenda while in the Illinois state senate. Among his pro-abortion record, was the time he voted against legislation that would offer medical care to babies who survived abortion.

Nevertheless, it’s encouraging to see this new Congress already making good on its promise to protect life.