Michigan Gov. Vetoes Bill Banning Partial-Birth Abortions

Michigan Gov. Vetoes Bill Banning Partial-Birth Abortions

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 11, 2003

Lansing, MI (LifeNews.com) -- Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) vetoed a bill on Friday that would have banned partial-birth abortions in the state.

Having not been able to ban the abortion procedure through more traditional legislation, pro-life lawmakers crafted a bill that redefines the moment of birth as any time when at least part of the body of an unborn child exits the womb.

Since a child is partially born when the abortion procedure is performed, the baby would be declared legally born alive at that point and having a right to proper medical treatment.

Granholm said she vetoed the bill because "federal courts repeatedly have declared unconstitutional efforts to end partial birth abortion.'' She also claimed the legislation needs a health exception, although most doctors agree that partial-birth abortions are never medically necessary to protect the health of the mother.

"This veto is an insult to the overwhelming majority of Michigan citizens who find partial birth abortion repulsive and indefensible," Right to Life of Michigan said in a statement. "Citizens who have been deceived by the governor's 'personally pro-life' position will see her truly radical pro-abortion stand."

In 1996 and 1999, courts declared unconstitutional previous legislation attempting to ban partial-birth abortion.

Kary Moss, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, applauded Granholm's veto.

ACTION: Contact Governor Granholm with your thoughts on her veto: Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, Michigan 48909, PHONE (517) 373-3400, FAX (517) 335-6863. You can send your comments online at http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-21995-65331--,00.html


Enter your email address to receive news from LifeNews.com via email. Do you prefer to receive news daily or weekly? Daily Weekly Do you favor or oppose abortion? Favor Oppose Click here to make a PayPal donation to LifeNews.com!	Michigan Gov. Vetoes Bill Banning Partial-Birth Abortions by Steven Ertelt LifeNews.com Editor October 11, 2003 Lansing, MI (LifeNews.com) -- Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) vetoed a bill on Friday that would have banned partial-birth abortions in the state. Having not been able to ban the abortion procedure through more traditional legislation, pro-life lawmakers crafted a bill that redefines the moment of birth as any time when at least part of the body of an unborn child exits the womb. Since a child is partially born when the abortion procedure is performed, the baby would be declared legally born alive at that point and having a right to proper medical treatment. Granholm said she vetoed the bill because "federal courts repeatedly have declared unconstitutional efforts to end partial birth abortion.'' She also claimed the legislation needs a health exception, although most doctors agree that partial-birth abortions are never medically necessary to protect the health of the mother. "This veto is an insult to the overwhelming majority of Michigan citizens who find partial birth abortion repulsive and indefensible," Right to Life of Michigan said in a statement. "Citizens who have been deceived by the governor's 'personally pro-life' position will see her truly radical pro-abortion stand." In 1996 and 1999, courts declared unconstitutional previous legislation attempting to ban partial-birth abortion. Kary Moss, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, applauded Granholm's veto. ACTION: Contact Governor Granholm with your thoughts on her veto: Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, Michigan 48909, PHONE (517) 373-3400, FAX (517) 335-6863. You can send your comments online at http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-21995-65331--,00.html