The Indiana Senate passed a near-total ban on abortion. Bill comes home
Republicans in the Indiana Senate narrowly voted Saturday to ban nearly all abortions in the state in a rare weekend session, sending the bill to the House of Representatives after a week of wrangling over its inclusion. Should exceptions for rape and incest be allowed?
The vote puts Indiana on track to become one of the first states in the nation to pass new restrictions on abortion after the Supreme Court quashed Roe v. Wade, the landmark case it defended. women’s right to abortion for 50 years. The measure has led to protests by thousands of women who descended on Statehouse this week and outrage among doctors and major medical associations.
A majority of Senate Republicans support the controversial measure, despite concerns from some on the far right of the caucus that it doesn’t go far enough to curb abortion and worry. concerns among more moderate Republicans that the zero-week ban is too strict. They voted to pass the bill with the fewest necessary votes, 26-20, with no support from Democrats.
Republicans who voted against the measure were divided. Some, like Sens. Kyle Walker and Veneta Becker, say the bill is too restrictive. Others, like Senator Michael Young of Indianapolis, voted against the measure because it didn’t go far enough.
Senator Jean Breaux, an Indianapolis Democrat, said the bill was “like an attack on women’s rights.”
More information about state laws:Indiana lawmakers are working on bills for women and children. Critics say: ‘It’s still not enough.
“In Indiana’s history, this is going to be a bad day,” Breaux said. “There are some people in this room who are excited about what we’re doing today. However, I bow my head in shame and sadness and pray that this regressive and cruel policy cannot become law. in Indiana.”
While lawmakers debated the proposal for three hours, protesters just outside the conference room continued to echoes of near-constant boos and chants that made senators sometimes submerge the microphone.
Di Harding, a 23-year-old Indianapolis resident, was among the group. Harding thinks being there on a Saturday could make all the difference.
They said, “I think there’s a little part of my brain that I think there’s a possibility that today we might be able to change some of our minds,” they said, “Having the ability to see people, the faces of whom they will discriminate against. against, will do something with them, maybe stir something in their heart. “
After the vote, Harding was one of many tearful protesters.
“It wasn’t shocking,” they said, “but it was horrifying.”
As the ballots were checked, protesters inside and outside the room shouted “shame” as tensions rose. Young had to be escorted through the corridors as protesters shouted and chased after him.
Polls have shown that a majority of Hoosiers support some people’s continued access to abortion. A recent public policy exploratory survey found that nearly two-thirds of Hoosiers surveyed said they believe abortion is legal in all or most cases, and only 7% said they think abortion is legal. that abortion should be illegal under all circumstances.
As passed, Senate Bill 1 prohibits all abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the pregnant woman is at risk. The exceptions for rape and incest apply only within the first 12 weeks for girls 15 years of age or younger and the first eight weeks for pregnant girls and women 16 years of age. above.
Earlier in the week, 18 Republicans voted in favor of stripping the exceptions for rape and incest – an effort that ultimately failed. The Senate debated the amendments to the bill for five hours Thursday, lasting until midnight. They also shot down an effort supported by some moderate Republicans and Democrats to extend the number of weeks legalizing abortion to 20 in rape cases, and another change that could bring the entire questions about abortion to voters in a referendum.
IndyStar reporter Lizzie Kane contributed to this story.
Call IndyStar education reporter Arika Herron at 317-201-5620 or email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @ArikaHerron.