Once again, the category of elections having consequences is exemplified by the advancement of four pro-life bills in Montana on Monday. These bills were advanced despite the lack of a pro-abortion governor to thwart their life-saving efforts. All four bills passed with a margin of 67-33, with Republicans voting in favor and Democrats voting in opposition. According to Iris Samuels of the Associated Press, the bills must still pass a third and final vote in the House before proceeding for consideration in the Senate.
Three of the four bills were vetoed in 2020 by Governor Steve Bullock (D), who was replaced by Governor Greg Gianforte (R) in 2021. In a statement made prior to the vote, House Majority Leader Sue Vinton asserted that Montanans respect life, ethical medical practices, and allowing women to fully consent to medical decisions. Furthermore, she asserted that the bills would safeguard the health and safety of pregnant women and their unborn children, while also affording women the respect they deserve when making critical medical decisions.
Samuels asserts that the bills include House Bill 140, which would prohibit abortions performed on pain-capable unborn children, estimated to be 20 weeks gestational age. The bill also includes House Bill 140, which would allow women seeking abortions to view an ultrasound of their unborn child. Additionally, House Bill 171 would require women undergoing chemical abortions, also known as “medication” abortions, to first have an in-person visit with a doctor.
The additional bill, House Bill 167, would require that babies who survive an abortion be given the same level of medical care as any other baby born at a similar gestational age. According to a report by Montana Public Radio, the bill would place the measure on the next statewide ballot if passed by the Legislature.
As is customary, pro-abortion Democrats criticized pro-life Republicans for introducing abortion legislation at an early stage in the legislative session. (If not introduced at an early stage, pro-life proposals can easily become entangled in the rush of last-minute business.)
Samuels wrote that House Speaker Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale, stated that the bills had not detracted from the Republican majority’s efforts to address the consequences of the pandemic. “Many of us have considerable experience and are adept at multitasking,” Galt observed.
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
