WASHINGTON -- U.S. House Republican leaders yanked a "fetal pain" abortion ban bill Wednesday night after a revolt by -- get this -- the moderates in the caucus.
The bill had been timed for today's March for Life, in honor of the 42nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. It will be replaced by a less controversial alternative that keeps taxpayer funding away from health care plans that cover abortions. Here's the crux of the dispute, via National Journal:
"Some Republicans worried that the 20-week abortion measure might alienate millennials and female voters. But many female lawmakers were also furious over its clause stating that women can be exempt from the ban in cases of rape only if they reported the rape to authorities."
But the bill also had drawn flak from Georgia Right to Life, which had opposed it for allowing for exceptions for rape and incest at all. GRTL split from National Right to Life after the two feuded over the 2013 version of the U.S. House fetal pain bill.
The clash put Georgia Republicans in a tough spot. Interviewed before the bill was withdrawn, they took different approaches.
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Coweta County, said he planned to support the bill and noted "National Right to Life is for it."
Rep. Jody Hice, R-Monroe, whose predecessor Paul Broun sided with GRTL against the bill two years ago, sought a middle ground by planning to vote "present:"
"So I'm staunchly pro-life. I'm not going to stand against any legislation which will ultimately save lives, so in order to reconcile my pledge to the pain-capable bill, I plan to vote a 'present' on Thursday. That is my intention."
Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, said he was a likely yes:
"We have to protect most innocent life. This doesn't go as far as a lot of people would like it to go, but again, we have to take back what we can and save what lives we can, so we're inclined to support the bill."
Rep. Rick Allen, R-Evans, was having a hard time:
"I'm getting feedback from both [sides]. Well, Georgia Right to Life is totally against it. Focus on the Family, Georgia Family Council, Family Life, they're for it. And then there's some people that have some problems with the provisions in it like allowing rape and incest [exceptions]. So I just told folks that I would never vote on anything that would kill unborn children, and so that's why I've got to really pray about this thing. … It's a tough one, I'm going to be honest with you."
It's worth noting: Georgia already has a 20-week abortion ban, signed into law in 2012.
The move by House leaders -- already viewed as suspect by the conservative base -- is sure to displease many of the anti-abortion activists who are rolling into town. But will Georgia Right to Life claim victory?
About the Author
