Conservatives Draw Line In Sand In Support of Pain Capable Act (HB 1473)
Few things unite the Virginia blogosphere like pro-life legislation.
Yesterday’s news that the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (HB 1473) would make its way to the Virginia House of Delegates was welcome news indeed, per the Richmond Times-Dispatch:
The law allows for an exception if the life of the mother is at risk, or if there is “serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.
Violation of the law would be considered a Class 4 felony. The bill also provides for “civil remedies” against physicians should they perform abortions in violation of the act.
Punish the pushers — good.
Of course, Governor Terry McAuliffe has done just about everything in his power to prevent new safety regulations that bring the standards of abortion clinics up to the medical standards of modern dentistry. So much for protecting the life and safety of the mother… but let’s face it, the abortion industry isn’t about safety.
It’s about money.
This morning’s The Bull Elephant — whose editorial line has been consistently ambivalent on life — was a surprising and refreshing change, courtesy of Steven Brodie Tucker. In short, Tucker draws a clear line in the sand on HB 1473:
I would like this to be clear, for all Republicans in elected-office. Your response to this legislation will not be ignored. If you support it, we will be here to support, praise, and raise awareness for you. If you oppose it or are silent about it, we will be here to flag you to the public as advocates for the abortion industry.
Tucker isn’t alone in this, as the Virginia Family Foundation, the Virginia Freedom Caucus, and others are actively watching and supporting this bill.
The idea of a “20 week ban” may shock folks. For those who are surprised to find out that abortions are indeed legal well beyond the first trimester, it may come as a surprise to discover that here in the United States we have an open season on babies that is far beyond what the European-style restrictions over there are on the abortion industry.
On the other half of the equation? Personhood supporters may be reticent to come out full bore for this bill, as it perhaps meets the definition of “incrementalist” legislation (i.e. any legislation that creates bumper rails that ends in “…and then you can kill the baby” is morally impermissible).
Granted, this bill does precisely this — but personhood supporters should take heart. The partial birth abortion ban brought to the forefront the grisly procedure that is an abortion in a way the previous arguments had not. Caging the abortion industry to focus on safety standards, the life of the mother, pro-family approaches to abortion only undermine all of the abortion industry’s claim to compassion, choice, and “safe, legal, and rare.” If a 20-week delimiter does anything, it emphasizes the arbitrary transition line from life-worthy-of-life to life-unworthy-of-life.
Besides, if you want to know whether or not 20-week bans on abortion are a moral good? Check out the reaction in Texas when European-style regulations were passed there:
Folks, I’ve been around in politics since I was a teenager. If there was anything that sounded like a reaction from the pit of Hell — this is it.
The abortion industry at prayer, folks. Inside their temple, praying for the $550 million in federal and state taxpayer dollars used to fuel their industry and target conservatives with $38 million for electoral defeat.
Of course, we all know what happens next. House and Senate Republican leadership will nod supinely, send HB 1473 to subcommittee… and let it go PBI (passed by indefinitely).
Not this time.
Conservatives have a moral duty to demand that HB 1473 go to the floor of both the House and the Senate during the 2017 session — no excuses.
If it does not go to the floor? PRIMARY THEM.
If it does go to the floor, give the bill a full vote and put it on the governor’s desk for signature. Will McAuliffe veto the bill? Probably. Will HB 1473 become an issue in the gubernatorial race that most Republican leadership would rather not discuss? Maybe…
…but is this a fight worth fighting? The argument is simple: every human being has the basic right to exist. No amount of social justice or government programs, no amount of job creation or education reform is worth a damn unless we defend and define the right to exist for every Virginian.
Frankly, I’m glad to see a piece of legislation finally galvanize the Republican Party in Virginia. Candidates for statewide office should take note — we’re looking for a champion here. Do this… and capture the hearts and minds of Virginia’s conservative movement at a stroke.
This article was crossposted at The Jeffersoniad.
