Wisconsin lawmakers send anti-abortion bills to governor

MADISON, Wis. -- The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly gave final approval Wednesday to a package of anti-abortion bills, many of which Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who vetoed the bill two years ago, is almost certain to vote no again.

Wisconsin lawmakers send anti-abortion bills to governor

MADISON, Wis. -- The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly gave final approval Wednesday to a package of anti-abortion bills, many of which Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who vetoed the bill two years ago, is almost certain to vote no again.

Republicans don't have enough votes to override Evers' veto. Republicans claimed they would try again as the measures are important and that Evers might change his mind. Democrats who voted against the bills accused Republicans of only attempting to energize conservatives in advance of the 2022 midterm elections.

Prior to the debate, Democratic Rep. Lisa Subeck of Madison stated that "This is a political game being used by Republicans to gin Up Their Base." This is just theater. They are aware that these bills won't become law."

Robin Vos, Republican Assembly Speaker, defended bringing these bills to a vote and stated that "our caucus proudly supports life." These bills should be bipartisan.

Evers, half of the state Senate and everyone in the Assembly are up for reelection next spring. Evers didn't immediately respond to a message asking him if he would veto these measures.

A bill called , which Evers vetoed back in 2019, would penalize doctors who fail or refuse to provide medical care when a baby is born alive after an attempted abortion. Violators would face up to six years imprisonment for a felony.

This bill would also make intentional causing the death or injury to a child born in the womb of an abortion a felony that can be punished with life imprisonment

Doctors say the bill is a solution to a problem. Opponents claim that babies are nearly never born alive after failed abortion attempts. In the rare cases when they do, doctors are legally and ethically bound to keep them alive.

According to supporters of the bill, the measure will remove any grey areas from the law.

Jim Steineke, Republican Majority Leader, said that "This bill is not anti-abortion." "This bill is about protecting the lives and health of those children who survive an abortion attempt.

According to Gordon Hintz, Democratic Assembly Minority Leader, this and other abortion bills prove that Republicans are more concerned about 2022 elections than women's health.

Hintz stated that "Republicans are aware these extreme bills will not become law" and that the majority of Wisconsinites support legal and safe abortion access.

The second bill would require doctors and parents to give information about congenital conditions to the parents of any fetuses or embryos that have tested positive. The third proposal would ban abortions that are based on the sex, race, or national origin of a fetus. Evers vetoed this measure in 2019.

Another measure would cut funding for abortion providers. It would prohibit the state from certifying them under Medicaid. Except in cases of incest, sexual assault, or when the woman's health is at risk, exceptions would apply.

A fifth bill would require doctors tell women who want to have a medication-induced abortion that they can still change their mind after taking the first dose. They could also continue the pregnancy.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Medical Association have criticized the claim that medicine-induced abortions can be reversed as it is not scientifically supported and could pose a threat to the patient's health. Two years ago, Evers vetoed a similar bill.

These bills are being introduced at a time when abortion rights advocates worry that the U.S. Supreme Court might overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which essentially legalized abortion nationwide. This decision allowed a fetus to survive outside of the womb until the 24th week. Although a Wisconsin law made abortion illegal in 1849, it was not enforced since Roe v. Wade. If Roe v. Wade were to be overturned, this ban would again take effect.

NEXT NEWS