Colorado is one step closer to passing the radically pro-abortion “Reproductive Health Equity Act,” courtesy of a 3-2 vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee . It now goes to the full Senate, having passed the House on a vote of 40-24 on March 14.
The “piece of legislation would codify Colorado’s place as one of the most permissive states in the U.S. when it comes to abortion,” according to Jonah McKeown. “The language of the bill would codify a right to abortion for the full 40 weeks of pregnancy, for any reason, the Colorado Catholic Conference has warned.”
“Coloradans do not want this law,” added Brittany Vessely, executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference. Julie Asher, of the Catholic News Service reported
In the previous two weeks, she told the committee, over 350 Coloradans testified against the bill, called the Reproductive Health Equity Act, or RHEA; House members filibustered it for 24 hours “in the longest bill debate in state history”; and hundreds of Coloradans rallied against it at the Capitol.
“The Catholic Church objects to abortion on the principle that every human life has inherent dignity, and thus must be treated with the respect due to a human person. This is the foundation of the church’s social doctrine, and its preeminent issue,” Vessely said. “This bill goes too far and casts aside the voices of millions of Coloradans — especially preborn children.”
As always, the bill is described as merely “legislation to codify the right to abortion in Colorado law.” But introduced by three Democrats— Sen. Julie Gonzales, Rep. Meg Froelich and House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar—it is much, much more permissive. In addition to permitting abortion on demand for the full 40 weeks of pregnancy, Asher explained that if H.B. 22-1279 becomes law it would
— Allow abortion based on discrimination of sex, race or children with disabilities such as Down syndrome.
— Remove the requirement that parents of minors be notified if their minor receives an abortion.
— Enshrine in law that “a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent or derivative rights under the laws” of Colorado.
— Prohibit any regulation of abortion based on concerns regarding the health of the woman or baby.
RJ Sangosti, of The Denver Post, explained that if abortion is already unlimited in Colorado—why does “HB22-1279 declare the absolute right to abortion in Colorado at any point in a pregnancy”? Because “Colorado law does not affirmatively state as much — hence the perceived need by Democrats for new legislation. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule in the coming months on Roe vs. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion nationwide”
McKeown provides a more straightforward explanation.
It would ink into law one of the most permissive abortion laws in the entire country, further lending legitimacy and legal protection to the state’s late-term abortionists.
It would also solidify Colorado as a regional abortion hub, and would prevent pro-life local lawmakers in Colorado from ever restricting abortion in their cities or counties. Although the law could be repealed in the future, Colorado’s current status as a primarily Democratic-led state would make that an uphill battle.
Colorado is home to Warren Hern, the infamous late, late-term abortionist. “Any discussion of abortions based on disability in Colorado wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Warren Hern, an abortionist who has been active in Boulder, Colorado since 1975, and publicly accepts patients seeking late-term abortions from anywhere in the world,” McKeown writes.
“Self-reported statistics show that Hern’s clinic performed hundreds of abortions between 1992-2012 on women who were at or past 24 weeks pregnant, including several performed on women between 38 and 39 weeks gestation. Nearly 240 of those late-term abortions were performed on babies with Down syndrome.”
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.
