U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chairman of the Bipartisan Pro- Life Caucus, made the following statement today after the Supreme Court of the United States affirmed the federal ban on partial-birth abortion:

    "Finally, the High Court has found its voice and used its authority to defend helpless children and their vulnerable mothers from the violence of abortion."

    "There is absolutely nothing whatsoever benign, compassionate, or just about a violent act that utterly destroys the life of a baby—it is a gross violation of human rights. Abortion methods either chemically poison a child to death or rip, tear, dismember, and vacuum the brain of the defenseless baby. Scrutiny must be brought to bear on the methods of abortion. The discussion of partial-birth abortion begins that process."

    "Women deserve non-violent, life-affirming, positive alternatives to abortion."

    "Since 1973, almost 49 million babies have been slaughtered by what is euphemistically called choice, making abortion a weapon of mass destruction."