An Arizona House committee has defeated legislation that would allow infanticide, following the new law in New York state for abortions up to birth. Like that New York state law, the Arizona bill would repeal medical care for babies born alive after abortions. That’s a law that’s been on the books for 44 years.
Last week, 17 members of the Arizona House introduced HB 2696. Today, a House panel gave it the heave ho.
Ron Johnson of the Arizona Catholic Conference told LifeNews about how the bill was defeated after hundreds of pro-life Arizona residents showed up at the state legislature.
He said, “The House Judiciary Committee rejected a bill (HB 2696) to deny babies born after failed abortions with basic medical care. Following testimony from the Arizona Catholic Conference and other allies the bill failed on a vote of 0-8, with two voting present.”
“Arizona has long had a law on the books requiring that babies born after a failed abortion receive basic care. In 2017, this law was successfully amended to clarify the type of basic care required, as well as ensure that at least one person who is trained in neonatal resuscitation is present in the room for abortions taking place after twenty weeks’ gestational age,” he added.
“These statutory provisions are common sense. They were even the law of the land in New York until very recently when essentially the same provisions were repealed and a national controversy ensued,” Johnson concluded. “We are strongly believe that Arizona’s current law gives newborn babies a better chance at life, and are grateful that HB 2696 has been defeated!”
Rep. Raquel Terán, D-Phoenix, introduced House Bill 2696 that would repeal the 1975 law that states doctors must use all “available means and medical skills” to save the baby.
Terán said she intended only to repeal a 2017 law that broadened the 1975 measure and blamed a drafting error for the situation.
The House Committee On Judiciary debated the bill despite Terán’s request that it be held. It was later amended to cover only the 2017 expansion, but the committee voted down the measure 8-0, with two lawmakers voting present.
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Allen refused her request, saying the bill was sponsored by numerous Democrats who should be willing to debate a bill they co-sponsored.
“This is a core value of a lot of members on the other side of the aisle who signed onto this bill,” he said as Terán repeated her request to hold the bill. “It’s a discussion worth having.”
Center for Arizona Policy president Cathy Herod released a statement to LifeNews following the vote:
Arizona lawmakers who thought it was a good idea to repeal lifesaving measure for babies who survive abortions, got a lesson today in Arizona values.
Over 600 Arizonans, not willing to follow New York’s lead in passing extreme abortion laws, packed House hearing rooms in protest of HB 2696. Protesters made it clear to lawmakers behind the ruthless bill that they stood alone if they repealed protections for babies born alive during an abortion.
Members of the House Judiciary Committee voted down HB 2696, with no one voting for it in the end.
I am proud to stand with passionate, fellow Arizonans who came to the Capitol today to stop this attempted overreach. And I am grateful for the legislators who boldly rejected this inhumane attempt to cater to abortion activists.
Sponsored by 17 house members, HB 2696 originally would have repealed a 44-year old law requiring abortion providers to use all available means and medical skill to save babies born alive during an abortion. Even the amended version would have left staff unequipped to carry out their duties.
A last minute attempt to halt discussion and hold the bill failed and witnesses were allowed to go ahead with their compelling testimony.
With no legislators voting for the bill in the end, it is apparent just how out of touch sponsors are with the values and priorities of the people they represent.
This is Arizona, not New York, not Virginia.