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New Mexico Senate Committee rejects two pro-life bills

Feb 10, 2016

By Dave Andrusko

Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington, holds a picture of his granddaughter taken minutes after she was born premature, at seven months. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)

Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington, holds a picture of his granddaughter taken minutes after she was born premature, at seven months. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)

The New Mexico Senate Public Affairs Committee Tuesday tabled two bills which would have banned abortions after 20 weeks, if the baby were determined to be viable. One bill (243) included an exception for the life of the mother, the other (242) also included exceptions for sexual abuse, rape and incest.

The vote was 5-4, with five Democrats voting against and four Republicans voting in favor.

State Sen. Bill Sharer ( R-Farmington) sponsored both bills. According to NMPolitics.net

Sharer said that in sponsoring the bills he was not condemning anyone. “I know that these are tough [decisions],” he said. “I do wish that both sides were more reserved and respectful.” Referring to those in the committee room watching the hearing, he said “My prayer is that people behind me consider what we’re doing.”

He showed photographs of his own granddaughter who was born prematurely, weighing four pounds at birth, he said. “Is Scarlet human?” he asked rhetorically. “If the mother has an illness does that qualify Scarlet to become a lab experiment?”

But opponents were unpersuaded. “I want every New Mexico woman to be able to make the decisions without harassment, judgment – and certainly without the government interfering in those decisions,” said Sen. Jacob Candelaria (D-Albuquerque).

Editor’s note. If you want to peruse stories all day long, go directly to nationalrighttolifenews.org and/or follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/daveha.

Categories: Legislation