Taking Kids Across State Lines For Abortion Nears Passage
WASHINGTON --Finally, politicians are thinking outside the box and putting our children first. No longer will any adult be able to escort a teenager across state lines to get an abortion without a parent's knowledge it would become a crime punishable by prison under a bill that headed toward Senate passage, just today.
Republican sponsors said the bill supports what a majority of the public believes: that a parent's right to know takes precedence over a young woman's right to have an abortion.
Graphic compares state laws on parental involvement in minors abortions. (AP Graphic)
"No parent wants anyone to take their children across state lines or even across the street without their permission," said Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. "This is a fundamental right, and the Congress is right to uphold it in law."
"Congress ought to have higher priorities than turning grandparents into criminals," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass. He doesn't have any duaghters, does he? So I guess it's alright for the Senator to have a one sided view of the probem.
The measure would make taking a pregnant teenager over state lines to obtain an abortion a crime punishable by fines and up to a year in prison. The girl and her parents would be protected from prosecution and an exception would be made in cases where the pregnancy endangered the teen's life.
States without consent laws are Washington, Oregon, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut. The District of Columbia also does not have such laws.
Abstinence is the best way to prevent teenage pregnancy, responded Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.
H.R. 748
Congress: http://thomas.loc.gov/
(Source: AP)
WASHINGTON --Finally, politicians are thinking outside the box and putting our children first. No longer will any adult be able to escort a teenager across state lines to get an abortion without a parent's knowledge it would become a crime punishable by prison under a bill that headed toward Senate passage, just today.
Republican sponsors said the bill supports what a majority of the public believes: that a parent's right to know takes precedence over a young woman's right to have an abortion.
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Graphic compares state laws on parental involvement in minors abortions. (AP Graphic) |
"No parent wants anyone to take their children across state lines or even across the street without their permission," said Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. "This is a fundamental right, and the Congress is right to uphold it in law."
"Congress ought to have higher priorities than turning grandparents into criminals," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass. He doesn't have any duaghters, does he? So I guess it's alright for the Senator to have a one sided view of the probem.
The measure would make taking a pregnant teenager over state lines to obtain an abortion a crime punishable by fines and up to a year in prison. The girl and her parents would be protected from prosecution and an exception would be made in cases where the pregnancy endangered the teen's life.
States without consent laws are Washington, Oregon, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut. The District of Columbia also does not have such laws.
Abstinence is the best way to prevent teenage pregnancy, responded Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.
H.R. 748
Congress: http:/
(Source: AP)
