All this talk about S1696 protecting women's rights? Down-right deceiving. If passed in the Senate, what has been referred to by National Right to Life's President as “the most radical pro-abortion bill ever considered by Congress” would undo pro-life laws across the nation. It is because of the carefully-drafted and rightfully enacted pro-life laws that currently exist that women's health and unborn children are protected.
Hundreds—yes, hundreds—of pro-life laws have been passed in states, including 21 measures this year alone.
The very essence of this bill is destruction, not protection. What would be the ramifications of passing S1696?
This bill would overturn these pro-life and pro-woman laws—laws that protect babies who are capable of feeling pain—laws that prevent sex-selection abortion—laws that ensure the medical competency of health providers—laws that hold abortion clinics to the same standards of ambulatory clinics. These laws are important and are being passed in states across the country.
S1696 is a serious unconstitutional attack on states' rights. Last year, I was on the grounds of the Texas Capitol when HB2 and SB1 were debated. These measures have helped to protect the lives of numerous Texan mothers and their unborn children. It was a year ago when the Lone Star legislature demonstrated to the nation the truth of Lt. Governor David Dewhurst's words, “At the end of the day, life can't be stopped.”
However, S1696 seeks to end life. It seeks to stop the heartbeat of the child who is being nurtured in his or her mother's womb. It seeks to make profit off of the woman in crisis. Is this protecting? No, it's degrading. After all, what is honorable about intentionally lowering medical and health standards? Friends, this bill seeks to silence the voice of states like Texas that have raised their voice for life. It's time to kill the bill and protect the mother and her unborn child.
Each of us has been blessed with mothers who showed us true love and protection when they made the choice to grace us with the gift of life. This bill is not about health rights; it's about destroying the very inalienable right that we all have been given—the right to life.