U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville has joined U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota as a cosponsor of legislation that would extend constitutional protections to unborn children by recognizing a right to life beginning at conception.

The Life at Conception Act would clarify in federal statute that the right to life guaranteed under the 14th Amendment applies to each human being at all stages of life. The bill defines the start of life as the moment of conception or any other moment at which an individual comes into being.

“Since I got to Washington, I have been a champion for the unborn,” Tuberville said in the release. “Every life is precious — no matter the stage — and deserves the protections we have in the Constitution. Life begins at the moment of conception, and anyone who would decry that basic truth is sick and evil. This year we welcomed our first grandchild into the world, and I was reminded just how sacred life is. I’m proud to partner with my colleagues to continue to fight for the most vulnerable among us.”

Rounds, who is leading the legislation in the Senate, said the measure is rooted in the belief that life should be protected at every stage.

“Life at all stages is a gift from God and should be treated with dignity,” Rounds said. “The Life at Conception Act would protect the right to life in the Constitution to human beings at all stages, including in the womb. I’m pleased to be leading this legislation in the Senate with the support of my colleagues to protect the sanctity of human life.”

The senators were joined in cosponsoring the bill by Sens. Jim Banks of Indiana, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, John Boozman of Arkansas, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Steve Daines of Montana, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, John Hoeven of North Dakota, John Kennedy of Louisiana and Roger Wicker of Mississippi.

Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri’s 7th Congressional District.

The proposal has received endorsements from several national advocacy groups, including the National Pro-Life Alliance, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, the Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee and the Family Research Council.

Supporters say the bill is intended to establish a clear statutory definition of when constitutional protections apply. Critics of similar proposals in the past have argued such measures could have wide-ranging legal implications, including for abortion access and reproductive health policy, issues that continue to be debated in Congress and the courts following recent changes in federal abortion law.

The full text of the legislation is available at www.tuberville.senate.gov.