What We're Reading This Morning -- May 2
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Good afternoon everyone! This morning former Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann and fading Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul returned to their work on Capitol Hill in order to sponsor another anti-abortion bill. And while the governor of Georgia signed a restrictive anti-women’s health bill into law, the governor of Minnesota stood up for women, vetoing another anti-women’s health bill. Here’s what we’re reading this morning….
Being a “libertarian” doesn’t stop Ron Paul from wanting the state to interfere in a woman’s ability to receive comprehensive health care. “Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann Co-Sponsor Another Anti-Abortion Bill” — “Last week Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) and former presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) have joined forces behind yet another anti-abortion bill. Paul, who hasn’t managed to show up for a majority of congressional votes this year due to his campaign schedule has made supporting the Stop Abortion Funding in Multi-state Exchange Plans (SAFE) Act a priority. The bill would block any multi-state health plan from offering coverage for elective abortions. According to Paul and other Republican supporters, making sure federal funding does not go to providing comprehensive women’s health coverage is a necessity despite the fact that federal law already prohibits the use of taxpayer funding for abortion.”
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signs an extreme ban on abortion into law. “Deal signs ‘fetal pain' abortion bill into law” — “Gov. Nathan Deal on Tuesday approved new restrictions on late-term abortions in Georgia, sealing a victory for conservative leaders who championed the issue at the Capitol this year. Deal's signature makes Georgia the latest state to generally ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, cutting by about six weeks the time women in Georgia may have an elective abortion. Commonly referred to as a ’fetal pain’ bill, House Bill 954 will tighten medical exemptions for terminating pregnancies and require any abortion performed after 20 weeks be done in a way to bring the fetus out alive. The new law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, makes no exception for rape or incest. The measure says that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks, therefore the state has an interest in protecting it. ‘Today, we are reaffirming Georgia’s commitment to preserving the sanctity of all human life,’ Deal said in a statement released by his office. ‘This legislation provides humane protection to innocents capable of feeling pain while making an important exception for ... medically futile pregnancies.’”
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton stands up for women, vetoing a second anti-women’s health bill in the last week. “Dayton vetoes abortion bill requiring doctor presence” — “Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed a bill Monday that would have required doctors prescribing a medicinal abortion be present when administering the drug. If the bill had been signed, prescribing doctors not present when the medicine was administered could have faced felony charges. Supporters of the bill say it stemmed from concerns related to abortion medications, claiming doctors cannot remotely examine a woman to be sure the drug is a good fit. Rep. Rich Murray, R-Albert Lea, who voted in favor of the bill, said it ensured women’s safety. Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, disagreed, saying the bill was geared to appeal to specific parts of the political spectrum. There are better ways to look out for women’s health, she said, including improving access to health care and preventive care. His veto comes just days after he vetoed a different abortion-related bill on Thursday. The other bill would have required abortion facilities that perform more than 10 abortions per month to pay a $3,712 annual license fee and undergo twice-yearly inspections by the commissioner of health.”
