TRENTON -- Feeling energized since "pro-life" Donald Trump won the presidential election, a group of Republican lawmakers and anti-abortion rights activists announced Monday they will seek a ban on abortions in New Jersey involving any fetus that is at least 20 weeks old.

State Sens. Steven Oroho (R-Sussex) and Joseph Pennacchio (R-Morris) introduced the "Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act" in April. But they held a Statehouse press conference to draw attention to the bill seven months later, to build on momentum from Trump's win.

"Make no mistake, when a legislator gets up or Donald Trump gets up and starts talking about a child have a right to exist and not feel pain, that empowers all of us," Pennacchio said. "We leave this room feeling a little stronger."

Trump told "60 Minutes" on Nov. 13 he intended to appoint "pro-life" U.S. Supreme Court Justices. If the court struck down Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark case upholding a woman's right to an abortion, Trump said individual states could pass their own laws legalizing abortion.

"Perhaps (women) will have to go to another state," Trump said.

The bill is is based on the premise, which is not widely accepted by researchers and physicians, that a 20-week-old fetus can feel pain while in the womb. Fourteen states have enacted similar laws, and a federal version passed Congress in May 2015.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued a statement in 2013 saying a fetus does not have the "brain structures necessary" to process pain "until at least 24 weeks."

New Jersey Right to Life Executive Director Marie Tasy pointed to a 2015 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that found 23 percent of babies survived at 22 weeks gestation. A typical pregnancy cycle lasts 39 weeks.

Pediatricians and anesthesiologists who attended the press conference noted that perinatal medicine is capable of treating a fetus at 18 weeks, and pain medication is given.

"If we think recognize that a baby born prematurely at 22 weeks can feel pain, why would that same baby not feel pain in the womb?" said the Rev. Michael Fragoso, a former pediatrician.

It is unlikely the bill (S2026) will gain traction in the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Asked whether he would allow a hearing on the bill in the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizen Committee, Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), the chairman replied, "Any discussion and decision regarding the health and well-being of a woman is between her and her provider."

Republicans mocked the priorities of their Democrat colleagues by noting a flurry of animal welfare bills have been introduced this year, including a ban on cat declawing.

"Since when did animals become more important than unborn children?" Pennacchio said.

Doctors who perform abortions after 20 weeks would face $15,000 fines or five years in prison, according to the bill. Pregnant women would face no penalties. There would be exceptions to ban to save the life of the mother, minors who are incest or rape victims, and adult women who have been raped and counseled "outside of the abortion industry."

There are three clinics and one clinic chain in New Jersey that perform abortions in the 24th week of gestation, Tasy said.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.