New Mexico Telegram » Featured, Health, New Mexico House, Roundhouse » Brown changes abortion bill after national outcry (updated)
Brown changes abortion bill after national outcry (updated)
After a national outcry that forced her to take her contact information off the New Mexico legislature’s website, Rep. Cathrynn Brown, R-Carlsbad, has changed her bill relating to abortion.
The original language in the bill appeared to make it so women having an abortion of a pregnancy made through rape or incest could be charged with a felony charge of witness tampering. The new language, according to a KOB reporter, would specifically exempt the woman who was having the abortion.
After Huffington Post reported on the bill, other national news organizations wrote about the bill. Even Comedy Central stepped in.
It was an example of how fast in the age of the internet one small bill with little to no chance of even passing a committee could become a national story.
The bill had nine Republican co-sponsors.
Alex Goldsmith of KRQE tweeted:
Only change in new version of HB 206: “In no circumstance shall the mother of the fetus be charged under this subsection.” #nmleg
— Alex Goldsmith (@AlexG_Reporter) January 25, 2013
The language which bars “procuring or facilitating an abortion” could still charge doctors who perform the abortions.
Update 12:50 pm:
Written by Matthew Reichbach
Matthew Reichbach has blogged about New Mexico politics since 2006. Matthew was a co-founder of New Mexico FBIHOP with his brother and part of the original hirings at the groundbreaking website the New Mexico Independent. Matthew has covered events such as the Democratic National Convention and Netroots Nation. In addition to politics, Matthew is an avid sports fan, especially of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and TV fan.
Filed under: Featured, Health, New Mexico House, Roundhouse · Tags: Abortion, Alex Goldsmith, Cathrynn Brown
2 Responses to "Brown changes abortion bill after national outcry (updated)"
Advertising
Recent Comments
- Wayne on Dinelli seeks intervener status in federal case over city contractor donations
"I believe Mr. Berry knows he is losing this race and is trying to buy the electi…" - F. Galton on Lujan says views of author of immigration report are “reprehensible”
"The existence of racial differences in intelligence is a well established fact. …" - Richard Diaz, Sr. on Faith leaders announce support for same-sex marriage
"As usual, the stupidity of man who insists on defying God's laws on this issue c…" - Keith Pullman on Faith leaders announce support for same-sex marriage
"There is no good reason to deny that we must keep evolving until an adult, regar…" - Matthew Reichbach on Morning Word: 05-02-13
"Missing a > in my html. Fixed now.…"
The potential to charge doctors with a crime for providing an abortion, i.e., to limit access to reproductive services for women who need them, was probably the main incentive for the bill. It’s still bad policy, and it still has zero chance of making it to the floor of the House.
wouldn’t an honest reportage of this story include noting that she was formerly a prime mover in Eddy county Right-to-Life and that this motivated her entry into politics? this, plus the still-existing implicit threat to prosecute doctors, makes clear that this bill is not about preserving evidence at all.