11 featured guests at President Trump's 2020 State of the Union address

By Samuel Smith, Deputy Managing Editor Wednesday, February 05, 2020

Girl born at 21 weeks and her mom

As expected, Trump again called on Congress to ban late-term abortion. In doing so, Trump honored 2-year-old Ellie Schneider and her mother, Robin. 

In 2017, Schneider became one of the earliest premature babies ever to survive when she was born at just 21 weeks and six days of pregnancy. At the time of birth, Trump said, Schneider weighed less than a pound. 

“Ellie Schneider was a born fighter,” Trump said. “Through the skill of her doctors — and the prayers of her parents — little Ellie kept on winning the battle of life. Today, Ellie is a strong, healthy 2-year-old girl sitting with her amazing mother, Robin, in the gallery. Ellie and Robin, we are so glad to have you with us tonight.”

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Trump stressed that Schneider “reminds us that every child is a miracle of life.”

“And thanks to modern medical wonders, 50 percent of very premature babies delivered at the hospital where Ellie was born [St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City] now survive,” he said. “It's an incredible thing. Thank you very much.”

Trump stressed that the goal, as Americans, should be to “ensure that every baby has the best chance to thrive and grow, just like Ellie.”

“That is why I'm asking Congress to provide an additional $50 million to fund neonatal research for America's youngest patients,” he added. “That is why I am also calling upon members of Congress here tonight to pass legislation finally banning the late-term abortion of babies.”

Trump’s call for a ban on late-term abortion drew a supportive fist pump from Robin Schneider. 

“Whether we are Republican, Democrat or independent, surely we must all agree that every human life is a sacred gift from God,” Trump said.