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Republican lawmakers introduced legislation June 25 that would make it a federal crime to dispose of aborted baby remains through public water systems — a method they say is both repugnant and a public health threat.
The Respectful Treatment of Unborn Remains Act of 2025, unveiled by Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, and Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., would prohibit abortion providers from discarding fetal remains in garbage disposals or toilets that feed into federal, state, or local water infrastructure.
“Every life is precious and has value, from the moment of conception until natural death,” Gill said. “Not only does abortion rob an unborn baby of their life, but abortionists further rob them of a dignified burial by carelessly discarding their fetal remains into public water systems — a disgusting and abhorrent practice. This careless discard of human body parts signifies the depraved disregard for the sanctity of life at abortion clinics.”
Violators could face fines and up to five years in prison. Importantly, the measure would not penalize women undergoing abortions.
While some states require fetal remains to be buried or cremated, others have no such rules, allowing abortion providers to dispose of the bodies through drains and plumbing systems.
Lawmakers cited the notorious case of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell — convicted in 2013 of multiple counts of murder — whose clinic was known to flush baby body parts down toilets and garbage disposals, resulting in plumbing backups and gruesome discoveries.
“They were shoving body parts down the garbage disposal,” investigator John Taggart testified during Gosnell’s trial, the Daily Mail reported. “To the point where they plunged it one day and an arm popped out on Lancaster Avenue.”
Gosnell, now serving life in prison, was convicted on three counts of first-degree murder for killing babies born alive in his West Philadelphia facility, which has been nicknamed the “House of Horrors,” CatholicVote previously reported.
Gill warned that beyond the moral concerns, the disposal method raises serious public safety questions.
“Beyond the moral outrage, introducing fetal remains into public water systems also poses a serious public health concern, potentially contaminating water sources,” he said. “I am proud to introduce a bill that restores some dignity after death, as part of the greater fight to protect all life from the evil of abortion.”
The measure has already garnered support from major pro-life groups, including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Priests for Life, and Students for Life Action. Early House cosponsors include Reps. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., and Mary Miller, R-Ill.
