The New York Times breaks down the anti-abortion bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today:
The Republican-led House on Tuesday passed a far-reaching anti-abortion bill that conservatives saw as a milestone in their 40-year campaign against legalized abortion and Democrats condemned as yet another example of the GOP war on women.
The legislation, sparked by the murder conviction of a Philadelphia late-term abortion provider, would restrict almost all abortions to the first 20 weeks after conception, defying laws in most states that allow abortions up to when the fetus becomes viable, usually considered to be around 24 weeks.
It mirrors 20-week abortion ban laws passed by some states, and lays further groundwork for the ongoing legal battle that abortion foes hope will eventually result in forcing the Supreme Court to reconsider the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, that made abortion legal.
It passed 228-196, with 6 Democrats voting for it and 6 Republicans voting against it.
Congressman Ron Barber’s reaction:
As the father of two strong women and grandfather of three granddaughters, I oppose any effort to put government in charge of a woman’s private medical decisions.
We must protect the right of every woman to make her health care decisions with her doctor—and without interference by politicians in Washington. Only she can decide what is best for her or her family.
Congressman Raul Grijalva’s statement:
Republicans are once again trying to restrict the rights of American women to make medical decisions. It’s obvious they haven’t listened to the American people in pursuing this unconstitutional waste of time. It’s less obvious who they think they’re serving with this.
Women who seek these services are often in extreme economic straits or have discovered serious health risks in their pregnancy. In defending the bill, the author said the incidence of pregnancies from sexual violence is “very low.” I suggest he tell that to the 30,000 women across the country who give birth as a result of rape each year.
After receiving heavy public condemnation, Republicans introduced an exception for victims of rape. This is too little, too late. We cannot allow the conversation we have about reproductive health to be driven by men who so easily dismiss victims of rape. The women and men of this country are watching this debate. Last-minute fig leaves aren’t going to cut it.
Despite their endless promises to the contrary, Republicans won’t focus on job creation. The House has now voted 37 times to repeal Obamacare, which prevents insurance companies from charging women more for the same coverage they offer men. Now we’re voting on a bill to restrict women’s rights to make health care decisions. Where are the jobs?
It’s time to stop hurting America’s women and put people back to work.
This article appears in Jun 13-19, 2013.
Same old bad mouthing of Republicans by the Democrats with old worn out “war on women” bull. Get a new line Democrats…it’s getting very old. How can Democrats in congress see nothing wrong with aborting babies (even in late term) that were female? Hypocrites. War on women…how about war on babies! Of course babies can’t vote, therefore they are mere trash to the PARTY.
I am not engaging in vitriole against anyone in this endless debate on babies and abortion and bad feelings that have torn our country apart for – how long? Decades. I have expressed no opinion public OR private until Dr. Gosnell exploded into view recently. I was born in Philadelphia, in southwest Philly, and at times, walked passed that very same “clinic.” That slaughterhouse of his. After hearing about the forensics of what he did, cut for cut,bloody aprons, screaming, crying and lack of remorse I have emotionally ground to a halt. This has got to stop. “Late-term abortions” as described by Gosnell, in my mind are nothing but murder. As one Congressional House member described it, ” if they baby on the table was breathing, ISN’T THAT YOUR PATIENT?” The Planned Parenthood Spokesperson didn’t give a straight answer. Gosnell is now a convicted murderer. Now, the facts speak for themselves: Late term abortions, beyond a certain time, when the baby can survive, breathe on their own – MUST be delivered and rescued. Kill that baby, and you should be arrested for murder. For God’s sake, we rescue poodles, we can rescue humans.