Ala. Senate heads toward vote on abortion ban measure
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama lawmakers were debating a proposal to outlaw almost all abortions in the state Tuesday ahead of a vote on the hardline measure that has splintered Republicans over its lack of an exception for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.
The bill before the GOPdominated Alabama Senate would make performing an abortion at any stage of pregnancy a felony. The only exception would be when the woman’s health is at serious risk.
Supporters said the bill is intentionally designed to conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationally, because they hope to spark court cases that might prompt the justices to revisit abortion rights.
“The question for me — for us — is: When is a person a person?” Republican Sen. Clyde Chambliss said as debate began on the proposed ban.
Democratic Sen. Rodger Smitherman criticized the ban as unconstitutional and an attempt by lawmakers to force their beliefs on women and expectant parents.
“It should be their choice, not the Legislature’s,” Smitherman said.
Emboldened by conservative justices who have joined the Supreme Court, abortion opponents in several states are seeking to challenge abortion access. Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Georgia have approved bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur in about the sixth week of pregnancy.
The Alabama bill goes further by seeking to outlaw abortion outright.
Although the bill passed the House of Representatives 74-3, some GOP state senators have expressed discomfort that the bill doesn’t include an exception for rape.
“Overwhelmingly, the people out on the street I’m talking to, they are hesitant to put into law no exceptions,” Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said, recounting conversations with constituents.
The Senate fell into chaos last week after a hasty voice vote — pushed through in a less than five seconds— stripped a committee-added amendment to exempt rape and incest cases. Lawmakers adjourned for the day soon after.
An attempt to add the rape exemption is expected when the bill returns to the Senate floor Tuesday. Marsh said he is unsure how those votes would fall.
Republican Sen. Cam Ward said he also supports the exception for rape. Ward said he is haunted by stories of rape victims, including a woman who recounted being raped by a relative as a teen.
“I think the bill passes in the end. The close vote is on the amendment,” Ward said.
Other Republicans argued exemptions would weaken their hope of creating a vehicle to challenge Roe.
Collins, who had exemptions for rape in bills introduced in past sessions, said lawmakers could come back and add exceptions if states regain control of abortion access.
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who will preside over the vote and any attempt to amend the bill, posted a video on social media saying “abortion is murder” and opposing amendments.
Democrats plan to mount a filibuster against the bill but hold only eight seats in the 35-member chamber.