Senator who opposed the bill to protect babies who survive abortions is now campaigning to stop the ‘slaughter’ of kittens

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced earlier this month that he is sponsoring a Senate bill that would prevent kittens from being killed after they are used in research, NBC News reported.

Though he is backing a bill to protect kittens, Merkley voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Democrats successfully blocked the bill, which would have extended protections for newborn babies born as a result of a botched abortion, in February.

What are the details of this new bill?

The KITTEN Act would protect cats from being euthanized after government testing. Merkley told NBC News last week that the practice is "archaic" and "horrific."

"The USDA's decision to slaughter kittens after they are used in research is an archaic practice and horrific treatment, and we need to end it," he insisted. "The KITTEN Act will protect these innocent animals from being needlessly euthanized in government testing, and make sure that they can be adopted by loving families instead."

What are people saying about this?

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins issued a statement on the matter Wednesday.

"What do cats have that newborn babies don't?" Perkins asked. His answer was succinct enough: "Democrats' support."

Calling Merkley's bill "one of the sickest ironies no one is talking about," Perkins pointed out the hypocrisy that Democrats would strive to save the lives of kittens, but not newborn babies.

"I can't wait to see some of these politicians standing on debate platforms next year telling the American people that when it comes to protecting living things: We chose cats over kids," he wrote.

"Here [Sen. Merkley] is, arguing that America 'must stop killing kittens,' when, three weeks ago, he stood in the U.S. Capitol and agreed with 43 Democrats that human beings should be put down," he said.

"Democrats said no [on the bill]," Perkins added. "Killing a child is a 'personal decision,' they said, and Congress shouldn't get in the way."