As you know, the anti-abortion movement has pushed the idea of "fetal pain" and misnomer "late-term abortion" in order to ban abortion care before the current precedent set by Roe v. Wade which is viability, around 24-28 weeks. It's actually not based on science, just stigma. 
(I know you were a constitutional lawyer, and you have said you respect the rights afforded to us in the constitution, so I won't bore you with more of the legal precedence. Let's talk about the evidence-based science since that's my expertise as a board-certified Ob/Gyn!)
A fetus could have a reflex reaction to a painful stimulus around 18 weeks, however the neural connections to the cerebral cortex do not exist to allow the fetus to perceive this as pain, and it's unlikely until birth.
laterabortion.org/sites/default/…
laterabortion.org/sites/default/…
In the past, your colleagues have asked why anesthesia is used during fetal surgery. Anesthesia is used to relax a patient’s uterus which prevents premature contractions & immobilizes the fetus to ensure surgery goes smoothly. Unanticipated uterine contractions can be dangerous.
Don't just take it from me; experts from @RCObsGyn have concluded that the “use of analgesia provided no clear benefit to the fetus.”
rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-…
rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-…
You can learn more—and read all the science!—at laterabortion.org
If you have more questions about the evidence-based science of abortion, you can always reach out to me, Senator @tedcruz.
And of course, I'm happy to chat with you as well, @AOC!
If you have more questions about the evidence-based science of abortion, you can always reach out to me, Senator @tedcruz.
And of course, I'm happy to chat with you as well, @AOC!
