Louisiana’s top anti-abortion advocate is opposing a bill that lays the groundwork to charge someone with an abortion with murder.
Louisiana’s Right to Life says Republican House Bill 813 is unnecessary and contradicts the organization’s goal of protecting pregnant mothers.
“Our position has always been that women should not be seen as criminals,” Benjamin Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, said in an interview with USA TODAY Network. “We believe Louisiana is prepared to protect every newborn from abortion if the Supreme Court overturns (Roe v. Wade).”
Last week, the Louisiana House Criminal Justice Committee voted 7-2 to pass McCormick’s bill to ensure “the right to life and equal protection of the law for all unborn children from points are fertilized by protecting them under the same laws that protect other humans.”
McCormick’s bill comes as the US Supreme Court appears poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, guaranteeing abortion rights, as soon as June, According to a leaked opinion from the supreme court this week.
“We can’t wait for the Supreme Court,” McCormick said during the hearing.
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Louisiana passed a “trigger law” in 2006 that would automatically make abortion illegal in the state if Roe sued Wade was overturned. That law does not criminalize abortion.
In a press release late Friday, Louisiana Right to Life said it “always protects both infants and mothers from violence and exploitation during abortion.”
“It is our longstanding policy that women who are susceptible to abortion should not be considered criminals,” the press release said. “We are instead held accountable to individuals who perform abortions or sell or provide chemical abortion pills. (House Bill 813), Louisiana Abortion Abolition Act, not necessarily consistent with this Right to Live in Louisiana policy.
“In addition, Louisiana law through our Human Life Protection Act of 2006, making it clear that infants will be protected from abortion violence when the Roe v. Wade case is overturned. Louisiana does not need HB. 813 to protect infants from abortion.
“Since HB 813 does not waive the criminalization of women and is not necessary to protect the lives of infants from abortion, Louisiana’s Right to Life does not support HB 813.”
Clapper told USA TODAY Network: “Louisiana already has what it takes to save babies from abortion.”
Louisiana’s USA TODAY network is seeking comment from McCormick.
