House
GOP Leaders add rape exceptions to
abortion bill.
Republican leaders are hoping
to continue the discussion from last week's controversy over the issue of
whether there should be an exception for abortion in cases of rape and incest.
A GOP sponsored bill, banning late term abortion with that exception is
expected before the next debate.
Republican members of the House
from the Judiciary Committee voted down the Democratic amendment to allow women
who are raped to obtain an abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy. However,
the House GOP leader decided to add a small exception. After GOP members
expressed their worries about the issue, Republican leadership agreed that the
new exception aids women by permitting victims of rape or incest to have
an abortion, if they report the crime to authorities.
Last week, Arizona Republican
Representative, Trent Frank, started the controversy again when
he argued against the exception. He added that “pregnancy [resulting]
from rape was very low." What about incest? Is his opinion the
same?
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-California,
and a member of judiciary committee immediately pushed back by arguing that
“Rep. Trent Frank does not have any scientific basis to say that” and that
telling women in the U.S.A. to continue with a pregnancy resulting from rape is
humiliating. After that Todd Askin said that, “Women’s bodies could
prevent pregnancies during cases of legitimate rape.". I wonder what is
considered legal rape for him? Because, when reporters asked about his
comments, he alleged he was talking about pregnancies over six months of
women who are raped and their chances for abortion. After that, Democrats
quickly pointed out that there were no female GOP members on the judiciary
panel. Thus, Republicans Nominated Tennessee Republican, Rep. Marsha
Blackburn, to lead another abortion debate instead of Frank because she
co-sponsored the bill and was close to GOP leaders. The need for female
participation in this discussion is critical. One GOP aide told CNN that
leaders encourage Republican women who support measures to participate in the
next floor debate.
The House of
Democrats spotlights the issue because they emphasized key points in the
discussion, but they don’t believe the debate will go anywhere. Americans will
rarely see action on those items since leaders focused on the struggling
economy. Democrats think independent voters can make the difference
in the next election; the focus on another controversial social issue will be
increased.
I have never been an advocate of abortion. However, I cannot imagine having to carry a child that will forever remind me of the horrendous and violent act that got me pregnant in the first place. It is a very tough decision to make because at the same tie I cannot see ending an innocent life that has no blame for anything that has happened. I cannot say that I can go either way on this. I do think that should be an individual's decision to make that choice not the government.
ReplyDeleteRape is such a horrifying and terrible crime. I cannot imagine how much wreckage it brings into women's lives especially if they conceive a baby. It is very hard to carry a baby that reminds you of such an horrible event for nine months or more. Yet, it is not the babies fault at all. I personally do not think women should abort the child, because they can give the baby up for adoption. Yet, constitutionally it is their right to choose whether or not they will have the baby.
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