The announcement by a Democrat that they oppose any limitation whatsoever on abortion has the effect of sending a shockwave through the party and their innumerable allies in the media.
On Wednesday, Representative Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit), vice chair of the House Health Policy Committee, announced her intention to “vote against several key elements of a package of bills repealing regulations on abortion” prior to Wednesday’s committee meeting. This was according to Beth LeBlanc of The Detroit News.
Whitsett stated that she would not support legislation that permitted Medicaid funding of abortions, nor would she support the repeal of Michigan’s 24-hour waiting period and the current regulations that classified some abortion clinics as surgical outpatient facilities. LeBlanc reported this information. Furthermore, Whitsett stated that any bills related to the aforementioned regulations would also receive a negative vote.
Whitsett further stated that he would not vote in favour of or contribute to the funding of abortions on the grounds of fetal viability, which he considered to be a non-starter. “It is reasonable to request that those who are terminating a life be afforded a 24-hour period to consider their decision. “Twenty-four hours is not an excessive period of time.”
LeBlanc observed that Whitsett had added that the current regulations for abortion clinics labelled as surgical facilities were reasonable. She also expressed concern that Medicaid funding for abortions would divert funding from low-income seniors, who are at times a prescription away from serious health problems.
Her announcement preceded a vote in the House Health Policy Committee to transfer six of the 11 bills included in the Reproductive Health Act from the committee. “Whitsett was the sole Democratic member to cast a negative vote on the bills; on a sixth, Representative Alabas Farhat abstained from voting,” LeBlanc wrote.
The Detroit News has reported that the proposed legislation would put into state law the constitutional language enshrining abortion access that was approved by voters in November and would also repeal several regulations that they say are in conflict with that access. Those in favour of the legislation have stated that the proposed repeal of certain regulations is intended to remove obstacles to accessing abortion services. Conversely, opponents have argued that the regulations in question are designed to safeguard the health of pregnant women.
The opposition presented by Whitsett represents a significant challenge to the legislation currently under consideration in the Michigan House, as reported by Jonathan Oosting and Robin Erb. “The Democrats currently hold a two-seat advantage and must secure the support of all 56 of their members to pass bills without Republican backing.”
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.
