Louisiana’s version of the fetal heartbeat abortion bill has received final passage in the House. Similar bills in other states have drawn criticism. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges says she supports the bill because a heartbeat is the measure by which someone is determined to be living.
“Through no choice of their own, that baby’s life is terminated, and I believe, and I believe this legislature believes that is a human rights violation,” said Hodges.
Baton Rouge Representative Ted James introduced an amendment to the bill that would see exemptions of the law applied to cases of rape or incest.
“I’m not man enough to tell that woman, ‘You know what, live with it. Every kick, every bout of morning sickness, every headache, a reminder of that trauma. I’m not man enough to do that,” said James.
The amendment failed to pass.
Among the opposition of the amendment was Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh who says children are not punished for the sins of their father, adding the way a child is conceived should not be a death sentence for the child.
“If you want to bring legislation allowing the mother, the victim of rape to choose to execute the rapist, I’m on board. I think that’s a good amendment, that’s a good bill. But this is not,” said Seabaugh.
Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle responded to the suggestion from Rep. Seabaugh of executing rapists instead of allowing a victim to have an abortion.
“We come to this well and we say that we will go ahead and kill and execute the person that did the rape. That means that we must not be pro-life all the way,” said Marcelle.
The measure is not expected to take effect anytime soon. Under the proposal, the restriction of abortions would not be enforceable until a federal appeals court rules on upholding a similar law in Mississippi. The bill is on the way to the desk of Governor Edwards, who has since released a statement confirming he is preparing to sign the bill.
Gov. Edwards said:
“In 2015, I ran for governor as a pro-life candidate after serving as a pro-life legislator for eight years. As governor, I have been true to my word and my beliefs on this issue. But it is also my sincere belief that being pro-life means more than just being pro-birth.
My first act as governor was to expand access to health care for working Louisianans. I have worked with Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature to expand investment in education and pass sweeping criminal justice reforms. For each of the last three years, my administration has set records for the number of children being adopted out of our foster care system. And despite fierce opposition, I’ve fought to ensure LGBT citizens are not discriminated against in the workplace, to raise the minimum wage, and to pay a woman the same as a man for doing the same job.
I know there are many who feel just as strongly as I do on abortion and disagree with me – and I respect their opinions. As I prepare to sign this bill, I call on the overwhelming bipartisan majority of legislators who voted for it to join me in continuing to build a better Louisiana that cares for the least among us and provides more opportunity for everyone.”
