MA: Repeal of the Mideast Abortion Statue II (Vetoed)

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

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Sponsor: Gass3268

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Does our current statute conflict with federal law?

No.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

When do you believe life begins?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I also cannot support Governor Tmthforu94's amendment, as it does not do enough to satisfy the reasoning behind the original bill. 

When do you believe life begins?

Personally I believe that life begins at birth.

So should we have any restrictions on abortion?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

A proposition of what?  Either way, a lone repeal is certainly not the way to go.  The last time public opinion was sought, the voters voted to uphold the legislation.  It would be drastically irresponsible to repeal something without having a replacement in place.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

A proposition of what?  Either way, a lone repeal is certainly not the way to go.  The last time public opinion was sought, the voters voted to uphold the legislation.  It would be drastically irresponsible to repeal something without having a replacement in place.

A proposition to repeal the existing statute. And what's wrong with a lone repeal from a purely legislative viewpoint? Wouldn't the region just revert to the federal laws on this issue? I'm not saying I'm opposed to a replacement bill (e.g. if the bill is not repealed, I want to reduce the punishment for violation of this bill to a large degree), but right now, I don't see how it's irresponsible.

And just because this legislation was upheld in the past doesn't mean it will be now. Our region has become much more ideologically diverse and such a vote would likely be close.

What if the federal law is eliminated or changes?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Or why not just have our own law in place as well?  We've used that system before... why chagne now?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

You missed my point on "why change now".  I'm not saying we can't change the law; I'm saying, what's your rationale for eliminating regional law on the issue and relying solely on federal law... something that hasn't been done in this region.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

If everyone thinks the federal law is sufficient, explain to me the harm in passing a bill with the same language.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

If everyone thinks the federal law is sufficient, explain to me the harm in passing a bill with the same language.

Assemblyman Gass3268 is arguing that views of Mideasterners have fundamentally changed on this issue since the Mideast Abortion Statute II was passed to the point that it was out of touch with the views of Mideasterners.  Surely, the best way to test the accuracy of that position would be to let Mideasterners decide this issue at the ballot box.  And I agree that it is an issue that every Mideasterner should have a say on.

Well, a simple vote of: "Do you want to keep the status quo?" doesn't really test the accuracy of anything other than a single viewpoint.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

So what exactly is it that people have a problem with in the law?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

No one has an opinion about my compromise proposal?

What all does that change?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Shouldn't clause 4 stay in?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

So the biggest changes are a lowering of the fine and an increase in the license revocation?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

So the biggest changes are a lowering of the fine and an increase in the license revocation?

And it would allow abortions during the second trimester.

Oh... I missed that.  Thank you.

This is why I was asking what all the bill changed.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

In that case my order of preference is Gass's bill>Mr. X's bill>>>>Tmth's bill>>>>>>>>>>status quo

Please don't take it the wrong way in me asking this, but could you explain your logic behind support for abortions at full-term? Actually, include in that the last month or two of the pregnancy in general, as a fetus can usually survive outside of the womb at this stage. Thanks.

I just don't think that this is something our region has to have a law on when there already is a federal law. Granted it's a weird time for this right now given that the federal law is in limbo but eventually there will be some law at the federal level and that is sufficient for me. It just seems redundant to have a second layer of laws at the regional level with only minor differences from the federal law when the only problem with the federal law is that it is temporarily in question.

But if the federal law is in limbo, doesn't that prove the need for a regional law?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Voting is now open on the following amendment.  Members will vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN.  This will be a 24-hour vote.

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[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

AYE

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Voting is now closed.  The AYEs are 5, and the NAYs are 0.  The AYEs have it, and the amendment is adopted.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

As would I, and I'll sponsor Tmthforu's amendment.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Sorry, guys!  (Don't do law school... it will destroy you.)

The following amendment is brought to a final vote.  Members will vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN.  This will be a 24-hour vote.

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[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

AYE

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Voting is now closed.  The AYEs are 1, and the NAYs are 3, with 1 not voting.  The NAYs have it, and the amendment is not adopted.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Would anybody be willing to go along with changing it to after week 20 of pregnancy, the half-way point?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I've held off on making votes because you guys complained I moved too fast when I held a vote after 24 hours of no debate.  Come on... If I'm going to get attacked for stalling, I'm just going to move stuff back to 24 hours.  I did this as a courtesy to you, TexasDem... your Gubernatorial Vacancy Amendment would've failed if I hadn't stopped the vote to let debate continue.  So assume some good faith... or we'll go back to the old rule, and votes will be held after 24-hours of no debate, and I won't stop a vote to let debate resume.  You guys can't have it both ways.  One week I'm being criticized for acting too hastily, and now I'm being criticized for acting too slow.