A bill to charge a women who has an abortion with murder, meets its likely demise in the Louisiana legislature

Representative Danny McCormick (R) Oil City

A bill to charge a woman who has an abortion with murder in Louisiana meets a likely demise. After the capitol was evacuated due to a suspicious package, the bill was amended to remove the criminal charges against the mother. The bill was ultimately pulled from the calendar by bill author, Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick.

“The vast majority in the room claim to be pro-life. Yet today when Roe is on the chopping block, and we have the clear opportunity to end abortion in our state we are faltering and trying to explain it away,” said McCormick.

During debate on the floor, Houma Republican Tanner Magee asked fellow party member, Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh if the original bill could potentially criminalize any woman in the state that has already had an abortion.

“Do you agree with me the most powerful testimony at a pro-life rally, or any pro-life argument is a woman who regrets having an abortion?” Magee asked Seabaugh.

“Yes,” Seabaugh agreed.

“So, we would be potentially arresting that woman?” Magee asked.

“That would be correct,” Seabaugh answered.

Seabaugh then authored an amendment to remove criminal charges against the mother and also eliminated the possibility that the use of contraception and even in-vitro fertilization could potentially place a woman behind bars.

“Louisiana law has always been about protecting the babies and protecting the women, and this amendment with continue that. The bill, 813, in its current form does not,” said Seabaugh.

Seabaugh also apologized to fellow lawmakers for not amending the bill in committee beforehand. The amendment passed on a 65 to 26 vote. McCormick then thanked antiabortion activists and lawmakers who supported his original bill.

“And I don’t want this conversation to end, but I think it’s ended for today. Mr. Speaker, if you don’t mind, I’d like to remove this bill back to the calendar,” said McCormick.

The bill was removed from the calendar and met with a round of applause.

Governor John Bel Edwards, a pro-life Democrat, stated if the bill passed in its original form, he would veto the legislation.