Louisiana: Senate Committee Approves Abortion Ban

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Yesterday, the Louisiana Senate Committee on Health and Welfare voted 7-0 to recommend a new abortion ban, Senate Bill 33, for full vote by the Louisiana Senate. The bill, written by Louisiana Senator Ben Nevers (D-Bogalusa), is identical to South Dakota's in that it bans all abortions except those that would save the woman's life--with no exceptions for rape or incest. But that isn't good enough for Louisiana Senator Diana Bajoie (D-New Orleans) and several others, who are working to modify the bill to make abortion illegal with no exceptions--even when it is performed to save a woman's life. This would constitute a death sentence for women who have ectopic pregnancies.

Although there is limited Senate opposition to the ban, it still has to pass many hurdles before it becomes law:

• It may still be amended (or quietly killed) in the Senate before it comes up for a vote.
• It may pass the Senate, but die in conference before being voted on in the House--the fate of Mississippi's abortion ban, which passed the state House by a 94-25 margin but never made it to the Senate floor.
• It may survive conference, but fail to pass the House.
• It may pass both the House and Senate, but face a veto from Governor Kathleen Blanco, who has said that she will reserve judgment on the bill until it is in final form.

Even if the bill becomes law, it is unlikely to survive a court challenge. Like South Dakota's law, it is ultimately a political statement rather than a serious attempt to ban abortion.

(Hat tip: Feministing.)

See also:

• The Top 10 Blogs on Feminism and Women's Rights
• South Dakota's Abortion Ban: Is It Practical?
• Colorado Governor's Emergency Contraception Veto Shows Contradictions in Pro-Life Position