Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Signs Bill to Implement Abortions Up to Birth

State   |   Micaiah Bilger   |   Apr 5, 2023   |   3:12PM   |   Lansing, Michigan

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined abortion activists Wednesday to celebrate the repeal of a law that protected viable unborn babies from late-term abortions.

The Democrat-controlled state legislature voted to repeal the 1931 pro-life law this spring, and Whitmer, a pro-abortion Democrat, signed the bill Wednesday, the AP reports.

Joined by abortion activists from Planned Parenthood and Emily’s List, Whitmer claimed the pro-abortion legislation reflects Michigan “values” and creates a better future for everyone.

“By getting this done, we will help attract talent and business investment, too,” the governor said, according to FOX 2. “I will continue to use every tool in my toolbox to support, protect, and affirm reproductive freedom for every Michigander, and I’ll work with anyone to make Michigan a welcoming beacon of opportunity where anyone can envision a future.”

But Barbara Listing, president of Right to Life of Michigan, said the governor has a disturbing obsession with aborting unborn babies at all costs.

“Today is a dark day for women in our state and for unborn children nearing birth. Cloaking the elimination of long-standing, common-sense health and safety protections in the mantra of ‘women’s rights’ demonstrates the extreme nature of the governor’s abortion activism,” Listing said.

Most parts of the now-repealed law have not been in effect for more than 50 years, primarily because of Roe v. Wade, but other parts were, including a ban on aborting viable, late-term unborn babies. Without it, pro-life leaders say Michigan no longer has limits on abortion.

LifeNews is on GETTR. Please follow us for the latest pro-life news

Despite the setback, Listing said Right to Life of Michigan will continue to advocate for health and safety protections for women and the full protection of the right to life of unborn babies.

One of their plans is to shed light on the women harmed by Democrats’ reckless removal of legal safeguards around abortion and abortion activists’ intentions to prevent pregnant women from accessing life-affirming options through pregnancy resource centers and other pro-life charities, she added.

Meanwhile, Democrat lawmakers made clear that the repeal of the elective abortion ban is just part of their pro-abortion agenda. State House Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky said Wednesday that “this is far from the end of the story,” and Democrats want to do more to expand abortions in Michigan, according to the AP.

Last fall, the pro-abortion movement, heavily funded by out-of-state billionaires, misled and lobbied Michigan voters to pass a state constitutional amendment that declares abortion to be a “fundamental right.” Donors included an executive from the former cryptocurrency company FTX, which now face numerous charges for fraud, conspiracy and unlawful political donations.

After the amendment passed, pro-life advocates warned that other abortion regulations, including parental consent for minors and a ban on late-term abortions, also could be repealed.

Aborting unborn babies for any reason up to viability has been legal in Michigan since the 1970s, and about 30,000 are aborted every year.

In recent years, more people are dying in Michigan than are being born, according to a recent report from MLive journalist Taylor DesOrmeau.