UPDATED 4:10 p.m. BISMARCK—A bill attempting to outlaw abortion in North Dakota with few exceptions did not pass the state Senate on Thursday but created drama throughout the day.
House Bill 1450 applied the term “human being†to every stage of development. The bill sought to add abortion language to the chapter in state law addressing homicide and assault, said Sen. Curtis Olafson, R-Edinburg.
Some were concerned the bill did not have exceptions for in vitro fertilization and life-saving medical treatment, although bill supporters made it clear it wasn’t their intent to prohibit them, he said.
The Senate considered amendments to the bill that would clarify these exceptions, as well as add an exception for victims of rape or incest.
Sen. Margaret Sitte, R-Bismarck, gave emotional testimony urging senators not to add the exception for rape and incest. Whether someone is conceived by rape, incest or love does not determine the value of that individual, she said.
“Life has value, no matter how it begins,†she said.
She quoted the Declaration of Independence, saying all men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. She also cited the 10 Commandments and “thou shall not kill.â€
Victims of rape or incest should not be victimized again through abortion, she said.
If that exception remains in the bill, the abortion clinic in Fargo will remain open, Sitte said.
“But if you vote with me … then this bill will have far more merit,†she said. “A life is a life is a life, no matter how it’s conceived.â€
Sen. Connie Triplett, D-Grand Forks, said Sitte argued that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is the right of a fertilized egg.
“But there was no conversation about the right to pursue life, liberty and happiness on the part of the woman who’s subjected to rape or incest,†she said.
She urged senators to keep the exception in the bill.
In a rare legislative move, senators tabled the matter. They approved a procedure that means the bill can not be voted on unless it’s brought back by a two-thirds majority of the chamber for consideration.
Without a vote by the end of the session, the bill does not have a chance to become law.
Late in the day, Sen. Joe Miller, R-Park River, tried to revive the bill but failed to reach the 32 votes needed. The vote was 26-21.
Sitte started to attack the “premeditated political maneuver†of earlier in the day, but Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley cut her off and told her that she was out of order.
The Senate did approve an amended version of another abortion-related bill on Thursday. House Bill 1297 does not ban abortion, but puts extra regulations around it.
The bill passed on a 42-5 vote and will now return to the House for review.
Thank you Joe Miller!!! What more can I say? A baby is a baby!!
This is a sad day for Republican leadership! Thank you Margaret Sitte, Joe Miller and all who made up the 26 votes in favor of the bill.
I urge every pro-choice and pro-abortion minded person to “get the facts”, watch videos, read data, and discover for themselves what abortion REALLY is and what it REALLY involves, with all of its’ consequences for the mother and child. Too many people, like myself, were pro-choice until I “got the facts”. It is impossible, and even foolish, to stand one way or the other on such a crucial life or death issue without knowing “the hard, cold facts”. There is much more scientific evidence, and history, available today than there was in 1973 when abortion was legalized. A wise person researches issues that matter. We don’t make crucial or life altering decisions based on the opinions or recommendations of others. We get the facts. I am convinced that everyone who takes an honest, earnest approach to studying the scientific facts of abortion could come to no other rational conclusion but to do everything within their power to ban it. Information on abortion and its consequences for both mother and child are readily available to anyone seeking it. I know there’s videos on youtube, for example. I beg our lawmakers in ND to “get the facts” and perform due diligence with an open mind. Too many people, like myself, think they know what abortion is. I beg you to “get the facts”. I suggest reading “Unplanned” by Abby Johnson, former director of a Planned Parenthoold clinic in Texas. Another excellent source is http://priestsforlife.org. This website contains a huge amount of scientific data. If any of the information is hard to absorb, please ask yourself why it is hard to absorb. I will continue to pray that minds will be enlightened and hearts changed, just as mine was. I pray that God will abundantly bless all of our lawmakers in ND, even and especially those who opposed HB 1450.
Carrie Michaelson, Broker
SK Realty of West Fargo, ND
One babies’ death is too many. Please do everything in your power to follow the Ten Commandments, Gods has not changed His mind about His Holy Word. May God have mercy on all of us. Ask God to show you the truth, He will.
God is not the author of confusion, man is. Thou shall not kill is a command from God in which man has decided to make the call when life begins. Only God himself who created us and gives us life can decide when life begins. Man with his superior wisdom goes against all that is good. Because mans mind is hostile to God, (ENMITY) . We keep choosing the lower moral road, and we will see how God will turn from us. Its time to wake up North Dakota. Stick with what is right and just, and trust in your God, that his word remains sure and true even in these dark days.
As long as one human life can be murdered born or unborn all human life is in danger family, everybodys, yours and mine.
All life is a precious gift from God. America has come to accept the killing of a human being,in the womb, young, old, any age as an acceptable alternative to an inconvenience.
May God forgive us for our hardness of heart. May He send His Spirit of love so we may come to appreciate the precious gift of life.