By BRANDON SMITH IPB News
Indiana Republican lawmakers voted Friday to force thousands more people to give birth every year in a state with some of the worst maternal and infant mortality rates in the country.
And Gov. Eric Holcomb quickly signed the near-total abortion ban into law.
“Following the overturning of Roe, I stated clearly that I would be willing to support legislation that made progress in protecting life,” Holcomb said. “In my view, SEA 1 (ss) accomplishes this goal”
Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville), the bill’s House sponsor, said it makes Indiana what she calls the most “pro-life” – that is, anti-abortion – state in the country.
“It is consistent with our overall goal to care for mother and baby,” McNamara said.
Abortions would only be allowed if the pregnant person’s serious health or life is at risk; if there’s a lethal fetal anomaly up to 20 weeks post-fertilization; and in cases of rape or incest, but only up to 10 weeks.
Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury), the bill’s co-sponsor, said she believes life begins at conception.
“I believe life is a gift,” King said. “This body has the duty to protect life.”
Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) said the bill is not about being “pro-life.” She said it’s about the state “punishing women for their biology.”
“And it is cruel, it’s unjust and it’s downright despicable,” Jackson said.
The House vote was 62 to 38, with nine Republicans joining every Democrat to oppose the measure.
Rep. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) is one of those Republicans. She talked about her own unplanned pregnancy when she was young. She said she was poor when she came to Indiana and lacked access to health care services. Ledbetter said the state has failed to help provide services that could’ve prevented abortions over the years.
“I cannot, in good conscience, vote for this bill,” Ledbetter said.
Rep. Ann Vermilion (R-Marion) also voted against the measure. She called herself “pro-life and pro-choice” and said she worries the ban will galvanize voters and force Republicans out of office.
“I think we have to stop calling ourselves ‘pro-life’ if it only means we have a priority list on life,” Vermilion said.
In an emotional, and at times tearful speech, Rep. Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend) said she sees people getting involved in politics because of this issue, “as if their future depended on it.”
“Forced birth is not freedom,” Bauer said. “Indiana’s going to force women and girls to give birth when 50 percent of our state is a child care desert. Forced birth in the only wealthy nation that does not provide paid family medical leave. Forced birth in a nation where Black moms face higher rates of death from pregnancy and childbirth. Forced birth where we average one mass shooting per day and have no universal health care or universal child care.”
