Bush Signs Partial Birth Abortion Ban

MyWay ^

[Happy2BMe]

Nov 5, 1:55 PM (ET)

By JENNIFER LOVEN

(AP) President Bush waves as he arrives on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington after...
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WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush on Wednesday signed legislation banning a certain type of abortion, handing its opponents a long-sought victory even as a federal judge sharply questioned the constitutionality of the new law.

"For years, a terrible form of violence has been directed against children who are inches from birth while the law looked the other way," Bush said as he signed the ban on a procedure called partial-birth abortion by its critics.

The White House staged the ceremony, before about 400 lawmakers and abortion opponents, at a federal building named for former President Ronald Reagan, a strong supporter of anti-abortion groups. "Today at last the American people and our government have confronted the violence and come to the defense of the innocent child," he said.

But even before Bush put his pen to the bill passed by Congress, a federal judge in Nebraska sharply questioned its constitutionality. U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf, at a hearing on a suit challenging the new law said, "It's probably likely I'm going to issue an injunction. I doubt it will be nationwide."

Besides Nebraska, hearings were also being held in San Francisco and New York City Wednesday on similar challenges.

Fully aware of the impending legal obstacles, Bush said, to the longest round of applause during his remarks: "The executive branch will vigorously defend this law against any who would try to overturn it in the courts."

The president's signature represented an end to a legislative crusade that began after Republicans captured the House in 1995. Former President Clinton twice vetoed similar bills, arguing that they lacked an exception to protect the health of the mother.

The law, approved by the House and Senate late last month, prohibits doctors from committing an "overt act" designed to kill a partially delivered fetus and allows no exception if the woman's health is at risk, or if the child would be born with ailments. The procedure, which usually involves puncturing the fetus' skull, is generally performed in the second or third trimester.

Aware of its backing among the religious conservatives that make up a key portion of his base of political support, the president declared himself pleased to sign what he called legislation that offers America's children "a different and better welcome."

"Today, we welcome vulnerable children into the care and protection of Americans," he said.

[Happy2BMe]

Thank you President Bush, for keeping your promise to the American People and ending this horrible murder of innocent children in America!

[cubreporter]

Amen!

[cubreporter]

Amen!

[Happy2BMe]

Major ABORTION CULT (DemocRATS) DEFEAT ping!

[WorkingClassFilth]

A high point in a moderate Presidency. Good for Bush.

[MeekOneGOP]

[findingtruth]

Congress could have included language to remove this legislation from judicial appeal, but of course it didn't. Even before Bush signed, a federal judge was announcing hearings on its constitutionality. Chances are an injunction will be issued to prevent the law from being enforced prior to judicial appeal.

[findingtruth]

There is nothing in the legislation to prevent sucking the brains out of a baby after the baby is dead. Accordingly, the abortionists will use a sonogram to insert a needle with an injection into the baby. As soon as the baby is dead, they will then perform the procedure.

Total lives saved = 0.

[findingtruth]

The White House staged the ceremony, before about 400 lawmakers and abortion opponents

Excellent politicking. No doubt the National Right to Life Committee was well represented. Any of us who ever signed one of their stupid "pro-life" petitions will now be treated to mail outs extolling the pro-life committment of Mr. Bush.

[Happy2BMe]

"Any of us who ever signed one of their stupid "pro-life" petitions will now be treated to mail outs extolling the pro-life committment of Mr. Bush."

Are you pro-life?

[findingtruth]

Yes.

[MEG33]

President Bush spoke passionately before signing this bill.I'm glad I happened to hear him speak.It may eventually end up in the Supreme Court..but it is at last signed as law.

[WorkingClassFilth]

In the first place, neither one of us knows what impact, in terms of numbers, this will have.

Secondly, at least the fight over 'partial birth' has been won. This is an incremental step and is the first significant crack in the monolith of abortion that I can remember.

Third, you're correct if you are saying that abortion isn't over. Next is the fight to ban third-trimester abortions. After that, defunding at the federal level of ALL abortions. This is a long-term struggle unless the Supremes overturn Roe and I'm not holding my breath over that.

O.K. So now, what's your solution if all of these measures are "stupid" and zero-sum games?

[findingtruth]

Secondly, at least the fight over 'partial birth' has been won. This is an incremental step

No, it is not even an "incremental step." It is just a sham. See my post #8.

[Kay Soze]

Ditto!

While I think Bush is an idiot and a RINO this act puts me indebted to him for life.

I will vote for him no matter how goofed up he is.

He has stood in the gap to protect those that cannot protect themselves.

God Bless him and keep him safe.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Yeah, I read your post #8. I read all of your posts. You've said nothing but cryptic absolute statements. So, again, give us the secret plan. How do you see the pro-life getting from A to B?