Posted on 07/26/2022 2:26:26 PM PDT by Morgana
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A week after a Charleston judge barred West Virginia from enforcing an abortion ban law dating to the 19th century, lawmakers in the state’s Republican majority hurried to advance similar legislation that would criminalize abortion with few exceptions.
The legislation, which breezed through the House health committee Monday, closely mirrors the 1800s-era abortion ban. It bars abortion in almost all cases and makes performing the procedure a felony. Physicians who provide abortions could face three to 10 years in prison.
Speaking during the committee meeting, Democratic Del. Barbara Fleischauer said passing such a bill would bring the state back much farther than the 19th century.
“I think that this idea that you’re going to force women to bear children against their will and put doctors and nurses in jail for 10 years is something out of the Middle Ages,” said Fleischauer of Monongalia County, one of only a handful of lawmakers to vote against it.
Republicans made no apologies for their move. In a last-minute announcement Monday, Gov. Jim Justice asked legislators to “clarify and modernize” the state abortion laws following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling last month ending constitutional protection for abortion.
“As I have said many times, I very proudly stand for life and I believe that every human life is a miracle worth protecting,” the Republican governor said.
The bill passed the first of three required readings in the House of Delegates and will now head to the House Judiciary Committee. A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Lawmakers were convening Monday for a special session called by Justice last week to consider reducing the state’s income tax. Just as lawmakers were gaveling in, Justice abruptly added the state abortion law to the agenda.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
While lotta kissing cousins gonna be upset.
I’m sick of these petty judges overruling the Supreme Court.
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