TOPEKA, K.S – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today received the David Gittrich Life Award from Kansans for Life for his decades of pro-life work during his career.

This is the first year Kansans for Life is giving out this award, which is named after former Kansans for Life Executive Director David Gittrich, who passed away in 2017.

In accepting the award, Roberts said, “It is an honor to receive this award today. But, it is also my honor and privilege to have earned the support of Kansans for Life since my very first days representing you in Washington.”

Speaking about legislation that will come before the Senate in the next few weeks, “Likewise, I have never wavered in our cause and I do not intend to start! Especially not now, with the recent efforts to degrade the sanctity of life in New York and Virginia. It is more important than ever to remain true to our values and assume our responsibility to protect life.

“It is disturbing that our nation needs Senator Ben Sasse’s bill to ensure that all babies born alive have their right to life respected to receive the medical care they need.

“It is even more disturbing that we have to vote on this bill at all. This bill should have been passed by unanimous consent. However, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have objected.

“Can you imagine that? Objecting to a bill protecting the precious life of a seconds old baby? As you can see friends, we have much more to do to protect life,” Roberts said.

Roberts also highlighted the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act to permanently prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions, which he and Senator Wicker (R-MS) introduced last month.

“Our bill also requires that all health insurance plans offered by Obamacare exchanges disclose whether a plan includes coverage of elective abortion procedures,” Roberts said.

Former Congressman Kevin Yoder and former Governor Jeff Colyer were also recipients of the Gittrich award.