A bill that would consider an abortion an act of murder is scheduled for debate today on the House floor. House Bill 813 would punish women who have the procedures, and doctors who perform them, with prison time. Oil City Republican Rep. Danny McCormick says his bill seeks to put abortion on the same level as infanticide.
“As long as it’s not OK to murder a 2-year-old, it will not be OK to abort a pre-born baby. That is my goal,” says McCormick.
He says his bill is not about putting doctors and mothers in jail, but more about protecting children; both born and unborn.
Speaking Wednesday to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club, Governor John Bel Edwards said he doesn’t often come out against a bill before lawmakers have had their votes, but he worries HB813 won’t survive any possible legal challenge.
“It is patently unconstitutional, because there’s language in the bill that says that no Supreme Court decision – past, present or future – would ever be binding in Louisiana, if it is not consistent with that bill” says Edwards.
The governor indicates he’d use the veto pen, should McCormick’s bill reach final passage.
“I’m just telling you … I’ve never done this as your governor, but ‘HB 813’…I don’t think it will come to my desk…but it won’t get OFF my desk.”
McCormick’s HB813 is scheduled for House floor debate today.
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