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Texas Gov. Fast-Tracks
Pro-Life Bill, Wyoming House Rejects Ultrasound Bill
Part Four of Four By Dave Andrusko
When pro-life Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced at a January 22 pro-life rally that he would give emergency status to an ultrasound measure to increase its chance of passing, it takes some of the sting out of a subsequent vote by the Wyoming House on another ultrasound measure. On a vote of 32-23, the Wyoming House Tuesday defeated HB 118. Sponsored by Rep. Bob Brechtel, the proposal would have required abortionists to tell women they can see an ultrasound of their baby--and to do so in person at least 24 hours before the scheduled abortion. "I'm going to stand strong for the defense of life, and at least try to help people understand where we're injuring women and certainly damaging families and children," he said after the vote, according to the Associated Press. NARAL Pro-Choice Wyoming praised the rejection. Executive Director Sharon Breitweiser said the group is "delighted that the Legislature voted down this ill-conceived piece of legislation," the AP reported. Four days before the House Labor, Health and Social Services Committee had voted 7-to-2 to approve HB118. "Women really have the right to know the truth about their preborn baby before deciding to have an abortion or not," Brechtel told the committee at the time. "Women deserve the full and accurate facts before making life-and-death decisions whether or not to abort the child." Speaking at a rally in Austin last Saturday, Texas Gov. Perry announced that he was fast-tracking the ultrasound bill by designating it as an emergency item for the 87th legislative session. This designation means lawmakers can begin considering the issue in the initial 30 days of the legislative session. "When you consider the magnitude of that decision, ensuring someone understand what is truly at stake, seems to be a small step, in my opinion," Perry told the crowd assembled at the state capital. "Those of us here that know when someone has all the information, the right choice will be made, the choice of life." Perry added, "Now our
legislature can take fast action on this important bill because
we all know when it comes to saving lives, every second counts." Filed jointly, the bills this session are numbered Senate Bill 130 and House Bill 201. They require the abortionist to make the ultrasound image available to the woman (who can turn away), provide an explanation of fetal development at that stage, and allow her to hear her baby's heartbeat. Rep. Rep. Geanie Morrison is the sponsor of the House version of the bill. Morrisson told the Victoria Advocate, "This legislation would require mandatory consultations in person, not over the phone, or by recorded message, at least 24 hours prior to the procedure. We just want women to be informed about the procedure and the short-term and long-term health risks. Any type of procedure you get, even if you have dental surgery, you should talk to a physician and see what the risks are." Gov. Perry ended his remarks with a rousing call for pro-lifers to stay involved. "I want to encourage you to continue voicing your opinions, I urge you to keep standing up for those who can't stand up for themselves," he said. I urge you to be a force of effective change, here at the capital, back home, wherever you're from. The changes that you make possible are real, because the changes that you're doing, you're talking about, you're involved with, are saving lives. "You're the key to making a difference and to any one of those 81,000 young lives that may end in Texas this year to abortion, you can make all the difference in the world. We can't afford to give up the good fight, until the day that Roe v Wade is nothing more than a shameful booknote and footnote in our nation's history." Please send your thoughts and comments to daveandrusko@gmail.com. |
