Category: Abortion and Birth Control
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:
(Hat tip: Feministing.)
See also:
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.
(Hat tip: Feministing.)
See also:


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