Louisiana Democrats Back Extreme Abortion Ban

A Louisiana Senate committee voted 7-0 to ban all abortions with an exception to save the life of a mother. The bill, which was authored by Democratic Senator Ben Nevers, will go into effect only if the Supreme Court overturns Roe V. Wade. Democratic Senator Diana Bajoie said she wants to make the bill "more pro-life" by not allowing any exceptions:

She did not offer the amendment but served notice she will on the Senate floor, where Nevers is expected to take up the bill next week. "I do have some concerns about this bill," Bajoie said. "It should be all or nothing...Life is life."

Nevers said he will work with Bajoie to "get as much of a pro-life bill as I can."

Nevers says the government should force young girls who are raped by a male relative to have his baby because "that child had nothing to do with that awful crime."

Doctors who perform abortions would face a minimum of a year in jail and a maximum of 10 years, and a minimum fine of $1,000 and a maximum fine of $100,000. Women who seek abortions would not face criminal charges.

If you'd like to express your views to these "pro-life" Democratic Senaors before this law passes, contact:

Senator Ben Nevers: 225.342.2040

Senator Diana Bajoie: 225.342.0752

To contact all Louisiana State Senators, click here.

Louisiana has an extremely poor record on reproductive rights. NARAL Pro-Choice America gives it an F for the following reasons:

*92 percent of Louisiana counties have no abortion provider.
*The state has unconstitutional and unenforceable criminal bans on abortion.
*State law subjects women seeking abortions to biased counseling requirements and mandatory delays.
*Louisiana has an unconstitutional and unenforceable law mandating husband consent before a married woman may obtain an abortion.
*Louisiana prohibits the use of public facilities for the performance of abortions.
*Louisiana allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to provide women specific reproductive health services, information, or referrals.