Posted on 03/31/2014 6:45:17 PM PDT by Morgana
CHARLESTON, WV, March 31, 2014 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Pro-life activists on both sides of the aisle are reacting to a veto from West Virginia's Democratic governor on a bill that would have banned most late-term abortions in the state.
Despite bipartisan support for a statewide ban on most abortions after 20 weeks, West Virginia's governor vetoed the legislation after it reached his desk. The bill, which passed through the state's Democratic-controlled Senate and House by respective margins (29-5 and 79-17, respectively) is similar to laws enacted in many states and has passed the House of Representatives. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin
Democratic Governor Earl Ray Tomblin cited legal and practical reasons for his veto, specifically how a similar bill was declared unconstitutional by a federal court last year. The governor also said punishments for having an abortion after 20 weeks provided an undue burden on pregnant women.
"I believe there is no greater gift of love than the gift of life,” Tomblin said as he vetoed the bill.
Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser called the governor's statement "high-profile hypocrisy."
"Shame on Governor Tomblin for turning his back on unborn children and women by vetoing a compassionate, common sense limit passed with overwhelming bipartisan support," Dannenfelser said.
National Right to Life Committee president Carol Tobias said Tomblin's veto means "he can no longer be considered a 'pro-life' governor."
Some believe the vote was designed to allow other Democrats to retain the “pro-life” label without any tangible results. Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins said she believed the bill "was the plan of the Democratic leadership in West Virginia all along, to allow the bill to pass so their vulnerable Democrat members could vote pro-life before an important election and then have lame-duck governor veto the bill."
One national Democrat who is not happy with the governor's decision is Democrats for Life of America Executive Director Kristen Day. In an e-mail to LifeSiteNews, Day expressed her interest in supporting a press conference and petition drive to overturn the veto.
Both events are taking place on Tuesday, but Day says organizers have not included DFLA in either event as of press time.
The state's delegation to Congress is generally considered pro-life, with Manchin and another Democrat, as well as one Republican, supporting life. Only Senator Jay Rockefeller, a Democrat, is pro-abortion. Representative Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican, has garnered a mixed record that leans pro-life.
Dannenfelser also called on Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia to "lead the nation where Governor Tomblin has so shamefully failed" by supporting a 20-weeks ban at the national level. That bill has passed the House but languished in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
As I understand it, this can be overcome by a simple majority. DO IT!
If this governor had come out swinging against gay marriage, he would be CRUCIFIED for it. But because he has taken out his wrath on defenseless babies, nothing at all will happen to him - except maybe a post in Hillary Clinton’s cabinet.
For many years, the people of WV have been of questionable discernment. Nothing ever changes.
“The governor also said punishments for having an abortion after 20 weeks provided an undue burden on pregnant women.”
This guy is an idiot.
“This guy is an idiot.”
Anyone named “Earl Ray” sounds intelligent?
why doesn’t the article mention any possibility of an override vote?
I never known anyone named Earl Ray that was intelligent so you’ve got a good point.
This West Virginia DemocRAT governor is no more pro-life than the duplicitous West Virginia DemocRAT Senator Joe Machin is a conservative.
RATs lie...they always lie.
A bunch of west virginia freepers drank the "Manchin is a conservative RAT" kool-aid when he became Governor, and didn't wake up until he sold out on gun rights.
This stupid rat bastard just signed an “exotic animals” law that would even ban stuff like parakeets, Guinea Pigs and gerbils, fer God’s sake.
It’s really hit the reptile businesses hard.
WV is toast.
The electorate of WV had a choice when Manchin ran for the Senate - I can’t remember the guy’s name, but Sarah campaigned for him. Yet, the sheeple of WV elected their beloved governor - who sold them out when he got to DC. I wonder if they will ever wake up and start to vote the right way for their state? They normally go RED in presidential elections, which makes me scratch my head.
Well, they certainly "went RED" when they elected the likes of Manchin and Tomblin. Two phony "moderates" who turned out to be marxists.
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