· June 18, 2013

Your morning reading

With so many policies impacting women at the state level we’ve dedicated little time to bills at the Federal level. Last week, the  all male House Judiciary committee held hearings on what Pro-Life advocates are calling the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.” A House vote is expected this week, potentially today (Tuesday). This bill would outlaw almost all abortions after 20 weeks, which is in direct contradiction to Roe vs. Wade, which said a woman’s right to an abortion can’t be restricted before fetal viability, at about 24 weeks. Initially the bill did not have a rape or incest exception, however after Rep. Franks (AZ-R) took heat for comments that “the incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low,” the House quietly added this exception.  Noting that this bill contradicts Roe vs. Wade, the White House has threatened a veto.  It is unlikely that the Democratic led Senate will consider it. Here are a few articles on this issue: Abortion rules assume women stupid House takes up far reaching anti-abortion bill White House threatens to veto anti-abortion bill House GOP leaders add rape exception to abortion bill