Rep. Wenstrup: Bill Would Make Charlie Gard Permanent US Resident

Rep. Brad Wenstrup, who along with Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., has introduced legislation to bring a British infant on life support to the United States for treatment, said Monday that the bill would allow the child to become a legal permanent resident.

"This is a young child who was in his mother's womb, and what parent would not try to fight for his life as he is now out here and alive?" the Ohio Republican told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program about his bill to bring the baby, Charlie Gard, into the United States for treatment.

"[It is] any patient's right to try to seek treatment which is being denied him."

The treatment in the United States may or may not save the baby's life, he conceded, "but wouldn't you want to take every opportunity to try and save his life?"

British courts have ruled the baby could not undergo experimental treatment for mitochondrial depletion syndrome, a rare genetic disease that left him with brain damage and unable to breathe on his own, and that he should be taken off life support.

The case returned to court on Monday, and has garnered attention from both President Donald Trump and Pope Francis.

The prior rulings sided with the hospital's stance that the treatment was unjustified and could cause more suffering.

"The doctors that are treating him there are advising that they just end everything rather than give him this opportunity," said Wenstrup.

"Granted the opportunity is in the United States, but, you know what? I don't have much doubt that doctors in New York have this type of potential treatment, potential cure, I'm sure they would be glad to go to Great Britain and try and administer the cure for Charlie."

• Parents Still Fighting for Charlie Gard's Treatment
• A Brief Look at the Medical Issues in the Charlie Gard Case