Posted on 06/17/2006 7:02:45 PM PDT by nckerr
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Louisiana Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco signed into law a ban on most abortions, which would be triggered if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its 1973 ruling legalizing the procedure, a spokesman said on Saturday.
The ban would apply to all abortions, even in cases of rape or incest, except when the mother's life is threatened. It is similar to a South Dakota law that has become the latest focus of the abortion battle.
The South Dakota law was enacted partly to invite a court challenge in the hope a more conservative Supreme Court would overturn its Roe v. Wade decision that established a woman's right to abortion.
The Louisiana ban would take effect if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Medicaid, which provides health benefits for the poor and disabled, requires funding for abortions in cases of rape or incest. Louisiana would allow those exceptions so long as it was required for Medicaid funding.
Seven states have such abortion trigger laws, and Louisiana already had a trigger law, although abortion legislation has been blocked by courts. The new law would mean the ban would happen quicker in the case of a new Supreme Court decision.
Blanco cited "overwhelming" support for the bill in the state Legislature.
"The central provision of the bill supports and reflects my personal beliefs," she said in a statement, adding she had hoped for legislation with exceptions for rape and incest.
Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards said lawmakers were focused on the wrong thing, especially as the state rebuilds from Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans last August.
"It is hard to believe that by passing this ban they are addressing what is most on the minds of most of the citizens of Louisiana," she told Reuters.
Most U.S. states have some limits on abortion linked to gestation of the fetus and often based on viability, essentially the ability to live outside the womb.
If only this twit would have displayed said leadership during Katrina.
hmmmmmmmmmm
Calling Senator Baby Fat! Wonder what Little Miss Mary thinks of this.
The libs are pissed at the Dem Underground...LOL.. What an awesome two weeks its been for conservatives.
Governor Blanco signs SB 33
"Today, I signed into law Senate Bill No. 33 by Senator Ben Nevers of Bogalusa. This bill, passed by an overwhelming majority of the Legislature, would prohibit abortion in Louisiana, except when necessary to save the life of the mother."
"This measure takes effect in Louisiana if the US Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, in whole or in part, or if the US Constitution is amended allowing states to prohibit abortions."
"I, along with many other pro-life legislators, had hoped this bill would include special protections for women in cases of rape and incest. In the end, these exceptions did not pass, but the central provision of the bill supports and reflects my personal beliefs."
I'm absolutely shocked that she signed this.
I think it's great, but I'm really surprised.
Why are the libs pissed at DU? I thought DU=libs.
I a little suprised too. Blanco has always been pretty pro life with the three exceptions.
I meant to say at the Dem Underground the libs are pissed at Blanco
HUH?
This is fantastic!!!
I had to read this a couple of times to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me.
Throw me down the stairs my hat.
At least she'll have done one extremely worthwhile thing while in office.
"At least she'll have done one extremely worthwhile thing while in office."
You are right, credit where it is due. Good job, Gov. Blanco!
She is certain that Roe v. Wade will never be overturned and there will never be an amendment to that effect. It's a safe political move for her.
bttt
Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards said lawmakers were focused on the wrong thing, especially as the state rebuilds from Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans last August."It is hard to believe that by passing this ban they are addressing what is most on the minds of most of the citizens of Louisiana," she told Reuters.
Points of significance:
1. Cecile Richards works in the Yankee land of NYC, where there about 800 abortions per 1000 live births. Maybe she should change the motto of NYC from "I love NYC" to "I hate babies".
2. Post Hurricane Katrina, most of South Louisiana is Roman Catholic, and it is political survival to vote pro-life as possible - even for Democrats.
3. Hurricane Katrina took out more than 50% of all abortion clinics in Louisiana. Shreveport is the only place with more than 2 full time abortion clinics in Louisiana.
4. Planned Parenthood worked hard to block for 5 years in Louisiana a law designed to make abortions in Louisiana SAFER. This law happened because of a lawsuit from a botched abortion that occurred on the one year anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and happened at Delta Womens Abortion Clinic in Baton Rouge. This law, which sailed through the Louisiana State Legislature and was signed by the then Republican Governor in 1999, did not become law until 2004 because of these attempts by organizations such as Planned Parenthood to use their resources to make abortions UNSAFE for women by blocking laws that would permit health inspections at Louisiana Abortion Clinics.
Cecile the NEW YORKER does not speak for the women of Louisiana... (Unless she claims to be speaking for those who run Witches Covens or practice Voodoo.)
Of course, the Landrieus are in trouble in Louisiana as Archbishop Hughes of New Orleans refused to attend something that would have honored that family because of the strong abortion stand by the Landrieu family...
Senator Landrieu has enough political sense not to support the president of Planned Parenthood as it would be political suicide in Louisiana.
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