Senate Passes 20-week Abortion Ban
-->By: David Goins
Updated: February 18, 2013
Arkansas is now close to joining six other states in passing a law restricting abortion after 20 weeks.
Governor Mike Beebe says he has serious constitutional concerns with the bill because it says the abortion limit four weeks earlier than Roe v Wade.
Representative Andy Mayberry (R-Hensley) is sponsoring HB1037 which restricts abortion after 20 weeks except in cases of the life and health of the mother.
Mayberry last week added exceptions for rape and incest.
Monday was the last day for senators to weigh in before advancing it.
"I do want it on the record that not all of us think we have a right to intervene between families and these awful decisions," state senator Joyce Elliott says.
State senator Cecile Bledsoe (R-Rogers) told her fellow colleagues to support the bill.
"In this bill, not only is rape and incest covered but the life of the mother and the health of the mother," Bledsoe says.
However, Little Rock senator Linda Chesterfield (D) said the senate has already advanced enough anti-abortion legislation this session.
"I think it's important for those of us who feel that this is wrong to say that we feel it is wrong. And I have done that and I can feel good about my conscience in saying it is time to leave women alone," Chesterfield says.
But a 25-7 yes vote sends it one step closer to the governor's desk.
"We still have a couple more hurdles to clear on the legislative side of things before it goes to the governor and again I'm very hopeful the governor will sign it.," Mayberry says.
Governor Mike Beebe says he has serious constitutional concerns with the bill because it says the abortion limit four weeks earlier than Roe v Wade.
Representative Andy Mayberry (R-Hensley) is sponsoring HB1037 which restricts abortion after 20 weeks except in cases of the life and health of the mother.
Mayberry last week added exceptions for rape and incest.
Monday was the last day for senators to weigh in before advancing it.
"I do want it on the record that not all of us think we have a right to intervene between families and these awful decisions," state senator Joyce Elliott says.
State senator Cecile Bledsoe (R-Rogers) told her fellow colleagues to support the bill.
"In this bill, not only is rape and incest covered but the life of the mother and the health of the mother," Bledsoe says.
However, Little Rock senator Linda Chesterfield (D) said the senate has already advanced enough anti-abortion legislation this session.
"I think it's important for those of us who feel that this is wrong to say that we feel it is wrong. And I have done that and I can feel good about my conscience in saying it is time to leave women alone," Chesterfield says.
But a 25-7 yes vote sends it one step closer to the governor's desk.
"We still have a couple more hurdles to clear on the legislative side of things before it goes to the governor and again I'm very hopeful the governor will sign it.," Mayberry says.
