Michigan House Approves Abortion Ban Mirroring Federal Law; Gov. Granholm Likely To Veto Bill

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 30 May 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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The Michigan House on Tuesday voted 74-32 to approve a bill (SB 776) that would ban so-called "partial-birth" abortions except in cases where women's lives are in jeopardy, the Detroit News reports. The Senate approved the measure in January. According to the News, the legislation is "modeled" after the federal ban (PL 108-105) that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year does not violate a woman's constitutional right to an abortion.

A violation of the law is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine. Abortion opponents say that a state law is necessary to enable state and local authorities to enforce the ban. Abortion-rights supporters argue that the state bill is unnecessary given the federal ban. The House rejected amendments to add exceptions to preserve the health of the woman and in cases of rape and incest. It also rejected an attempt to link the bill with another measure permitting human embryonic stem cell research in the state, the News reports (Cain/Hornbeck, Detroit News, 5/28).

The bill now goes to Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D), who is likely to veto the measure, the AP/Mlive.com reports. Granholm's spokesperson Liz Boyd said that the governor has vetoed similar legislation in the past and does not support the current bill because it does not include an exception for women's health (Martin, AP/Mlive.com, 5/28).

"This is truly a sad day in the Michigan Legislature," Rep. Rebekah Warren (D) said, adding, "We're interfering with a private decision between a woman and her doctor. And we're letting special interests dictate our legislative agenda." According to the News, Right to Life of Michigan and other antiabortion groups advocated for a House vote. The group had threatened to withdraw its endorsement of House Speaker Andy Dillon (D), who opposes abortion rights, if the House did not vote on the bill. "This isn't about pro-life or pro-choice, it's about common decency and preventing brutal murder," Rep. Brian Palmer (R) said.

Margy Long, vice president for communications with Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Michigan, said, "It's a sad day when a special interest group can take charge of the Michigan House and get a vote for something that is totally unnecessary." She added, "It's a shame that [the House] wouldn't even vote on an amendment for contraceptives. It's clear they are not concerned with preventing the need for abortion by doing some prevention measures" (Detroit News, 5/28).

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