GOP Poised to Toughen Abortion Consent
By LAURIE KELLMAN
WASHINGTON
(AP) - After an easy House victory, the latest push to curb abortions
moves to the Senate where Republican gains increase the likelihood of
making it harder for minors to cross state lines to end pregnancies
without telling a parent.
Senate
Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., intends to bring such a bill to a
vote this summer as one of his top 10 legislative priorities, according
to spokeswoman Amy Call.
If enacted, it would be the fifth law passed to reduce abortions since President Bush took office in 2001.
No
one knows how many minors cross state lines for abortions to circumvent
laws in their home states requiring parental consent. But like many who
oppose abortion rights, Frist told reporters this week that that
there's more at stake than the number of abortions prevented.
``No
matter how few people it affects, it's an important bill on the
principles,'' said Frist, a Tennessee Republican and doctor who is
considering seeking his party's presidential nomination in 2008.
Abortion
rights advocates say the bill would cut off an escape route for
pregnant girls and make criminals of the relatives, friends and doctors
who try to help them.
``It
certainly reflects a lack of compassion toward teens and in particular
to their health,'' said Louise Melling of the American Civil Liberties
Union. ``It reflects a willingness of Congress to override or trump
states' policy decisions.''
The
Senate is to consider a bill very similar to the measure approved by
the House 270-157 Wednesday. The Senate bill would make it a federal
crime punishable by a fine, jail time or both for an adult to take a
minor across state lines to obtain an abortion in contravention of
state parental notification requirements.
The
Senate never has taken up the bill. This year, the measure got a
friendlier reception there when Frist named it one of his top
legislative priorities, reflecting the four seats Republicans gained in
the November elections.
They
now hold a 55-44 majority over Democrats in that chamber. Sen. James
Jeffords of Vermont is the chamber's only Independent and usually votes
with the Democrats.
Reflecting
rising public support for requiring parents be involved in the
decisions of their pregnant daughters, the House bill would impose
fines, jail time or both on adult confidants who accompany minors
across state lines to circumvent parental notification or consent laws.
More than 30 states have enacted such laws.
It
also would penalize doctors who perform the procedure under such
conditions. And in states without parental notification laws, the House
bill would require abortion providers to notify a parent.
The
House rejected two Democratic amendments that would have added immunity
from prosecution and civil suits for confidants of the minor who help
transport her - such as grandparents and clergy - and for others
involved in the violation, such as taxicab and bus drivers.
The House and Senate versions provide certain exceptions, such as when the abortion would save the life of the mother.
Four bills aimed at reducing the number of abortion have been enacted since Bush won the White House in 2001:
Last year, Congress made it a separate crime to harm a fetus during an assault on a pregnant woman.
Another
law last year denied federal funds to state and local agencies that act
against health care providers and insurers because they don't provide
or pay for abortions.
In
2003, it outlawed a procedure - generally carried out in the second or
third trimester - in which a fetus is partially delivered before being
aborted.
In
2002, lawmakers amended the legal definitions for person, human being,
child and individual to include any fetus that survives an abortion
procedure.
Separately,
Senate abortion opponents last month defeated Democratic amendments to
a bankruptcy bill that would have restricted the ability of abortion
clinic protesters to file for bankruptcy when confronted with large
court fines or damages.
The bills are H.R. 748 and S. 8
On the Net:
04/28/05 08:33
