By: Daniel Nardini
In a move that is at complete odds with most of the rest of the country, the North Dakota state legislator—dominated by Republicans—passed the strictest anti-abortion measure possible. The legislation defines the life of a fetus at the moment of heartbeat, and thus prohibits doctors from performing any and all abortions. The law itself does not target women trying to obtain abortions, but the law does fine those doctors performing abortions with a $5,000 penalty and up to five years in prison. The legislation was signed into law by North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple.
There is no question that this law is set to do three things. First, deny women one of their basic human rights as established by the U.S. Supreme decision of Roe vs. Wade. Second, to overturn or try and redefine the Supreme decision on legalizing abortion, and finally to close the only legal abortion clinic in the state, the Red River Women’s Clinic in Fargo. In a direct legal challenge to the new law, the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights will both challenge the part of the law defining a fetus at the point of when its heartbeat begins, and to help keep the Red River Women’s Clinic open. It is both questionable whether this law can survive a legal challenge in a federal court, and it is just as equally questionable why the largely Republican-dominated state legislature would do this when the Republicans were trounced in the 2012 presidential elections.
Well, part of the reason is that these Republican legislators do not face election until 2016. They therefore feel secure in passing whatever legislation they feel is popular. Another thing is that a lot of the constituency in the state is extremely conservative, christian, and right wing. Hence, these state Republicans have a lot of support among mainstream residents in North Dakota. However, these people are challenging federal law, and current U.S. President Barack Obama will certainly not let this law stand. Organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights will not let this law stand. There is no question that this is one more effort among anti-abortion advocates to try and overturn the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade. Chances are this law will fall. Let us hope for the sake of all women and all families this unconstitutional law will fall.
North Dakota’s Anti-abortion Madness
By: Daniel Nardini
There is no question that this law is set to do three things. First, deny women one of their basic human rights as established by the U.S. Supreme decision of Roe vs. Wade. Second, to overturn or try and redefine the Supreme decision on legalizing abortion, and finally to close the only legal abortion clinic in the state, the Red River Women’s Clinic in Fargo. In a direct legal challenge to the new law, the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights will both challenge the part of the law defining a fetus at the point of when its heartbeat begins, and to help keep the Red River Women’s Clinic open. It is both questionable whether this law can survive a legal challenge in a federal court, and it is just as equally questionable why the largely Republican-dominated state legislature would do this when the Republicans were trounced in the 2012 presidential elections.
Well, part of the reason is that these Republican legislators do not face election until 2016. They therefore feel secure in passing whatever legislation they feel is popular. Another thing is that a lot of the constituency in the state is extremely conservative, christian, and right wing. Hence, these state Republicans have a lot of support among mainstream residents in North Dakota. However, these people are challenging federal law, and current U.S. President Barack Obama will certainly not let this law stand. Organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights will not let this law stand. There is no question that this is one more effort among anti-abortion advocates to try and overturn the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade. Chances are this law will fall. Let us hope for the sake of all women and all families this unconstitutional law will fall.