House has already passed identical bill
By Dave Andrusko
Less than three weeks after the Ohio House passed the Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act, the Senate Health, Human Services and Medicaid Committee voted in favor of SB 164 on an 8-4 vote. The measure now moves on to the full Senate.
Pro-lifers are hopeful the bill will be on Gov. John Kasich’s desk before Christmas.
SB 164 is Ohio Right to Life’s top legislative priority this year.
If enacted, it would be illegal for abortionists to commit or attempt to commit an abortion based on a diagnosis of Down syndrome. Currently Indiana and North Dakota ban abortions based on a diagnosis of Down syndrome.
When the bill was debated in the Ohio House, Rep. Sarah LaTourette said it would end the lethal discrimination against Down syndrome children in the womb.
“I continue to say that this bill is about so much more than abortion,” Rep. LaTourette said. “I truly believe that it’s about discriminating against some of our most vulnerable, discriminating against an unborn child simply because they might have a Down Syndrome diagnosis. That’s something that I find absolutely unacceptable.”
Prior to the Senate committee vote, according to the very pro-abortion Columbus Dispatch, members heard five witnesses— “two in favor of the bill, two against the bill and one interested party who remained neutral.”
Larry and Jackie Keough spoke in favor of the bill. They were there with two of their daughters; one daughter has Down syndrome.
“We ask each of you to support SB 164 that would stop the genocidal practice of aborting unborn children with Down syndrome,” Jackie Keough said, Megan Henry of the Dispatch reported.“By doing so, this can be a critical step to eliminate abortion based on individual genetic make up.”
Predictably, Jaime Miracle, Deputy Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, said, “The Ohio legislature really should trust women and the doctors to make these healthcare decisions.”