Sweeping anti-abortion bill filed in House

Here's some interesting information from the Feb. 17 edition of the Daily Wrap-Up put out by the Florida Tribune:

Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, filed a sweeping anti-abortion bill on Wednesday that bans all abortion in the state of Florida unless two doctors determine that the life of the mother is in jeopardy. The measure -- HB 1097 -- says that any attempt to induce an abortion is a first-degree felony. The legislation would also outlaw any facility or business that performs abortion.

Van Zant's bill includes a lengthy introduction that questions past U.S. Supreme Court rulings that legalized abortion in the first trimester and asserts that the Florida Legislature has the power to ignore them, stating that "The Legislature finds that the Constitution of the United States does not vest in the United States Supreme Court the power to determine moral questions on behalf of the citizens of any state without their consent. Further the Legislature finds that the justices of the United States Supreme Court are not qualified to determine, establish, or define the moral values of the people of the United States and specifically for the people of Florida." 

Some additional information: Van Zant's measure also states "The Legislature of the people of the state of Florida finds that all life comes from the Creator and begins at conception" and that the principles outlined in Roe v. Wade are "repugnant to the principles expressed in the United States Constitution."

It's not clear how far this legislation will go especially since its legality will likely be questioned. Last year the Legislature did not spend much time on abortion. A measure that would have required an ultrasound prior to an abortion never got heard in the Florida Senate because there were not the votes to pass it out of its first committee stop. Because the Senate was unable to move the bill the House only moved a companion measure through just one committee.

(UPDATE: House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, on Thursday said that Van Zant is very "passionate" about abortion and that he wants a "public discussion" about the issue. Cretul would not say if the bill would ultimately get debated by the Florida House. But he said that he talked to Van Zant about it and told him "to work your bill and see what happens.")

Comments

[Stephanie]

Wait, wait. Practically in the same breath, this guy says that "[...] the Legislature finds that the justices of the United States Supreme Court are not qualified to determine, establish, or define the moral values of the people of the United States and specifically for the people of Florida", then says that "The Legislature of the people of the state of Florida finds that all life comes from the Creator and begins at conception"?

As a resident of the state of Florida and one of high moral standards, I'm offended. Who is this guy to say that no one but those who are in line with his particular brand of morality and religiosity are correct? And don't even get me started on the hypocrisy.

[Marcia]

As a Florida resident, and a woman who has CHOSEN to keep both of two confirmed pregnancies ever in my life, I am offended and appalled that this MAN thinks that HE can CHOOSE what is right or wrong (morally or otherwise) for me, my body, and my children. It was my right to CHOOSE to keep both of my pregnancies. I just celebrated the second birthday of my first son, and am expecting my second son to be born in May. Both of my sons (and any other children I CHOOSE to have) will be taught that only the woman in question has the right to CHOOSE what happens to her body. If you don't think abortions are morally right, it is your right to CHOOSE not to have one, as I have CHOSEN not to have any.
Keep your rosaries OFF my ovaries.
Might I also point out that ob/gyns will not see a pregnant woman until she is 8 weeks along in her pregnancy unless she is considered high risk (which means three spontaneous abortions (also known as miscarriages) within a short period of time). By the time a woman has two doctors saying her life is at risk, she will, likely, already be in her second trimester.

[bill]

As a Florida resident, and a man who has CHOSEN to keep all three of our pregnancies ever in my life... OH WAIT!! What am I saying. I'm A MAN!! I don't have any rights WHATSOEVER when it comes to unborn children. IT WASN'T MY CHOICE to keep our children, it was my Wife's choice. So, listen up LADY, screaming about your rights. I ain't GOT NONE. NO CHOICE. NEVER. If my wife wanted to abort every child I ever wanted to conceive. SHE COULD. And I couldn't do anything about it.

Let's use your words and insert Woman instead of Man.

"I am offended and appalled that this woMAN thinks that sHE can CHOOSE what is right or wrong (morally or otherwise) for me, my body(DNA), and my children."

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE HYPOCRISY.