Sam Brownback Introduces Abortion-Ultrasound Bill in the Senate by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
September 21, 2007
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Sam Brownback, the Kansas senator and Republican presidential candidate, has introduced a new bill that would require abortion practitioners to perform an ultrasound and allow women contemplating an abortion to see the pictures of their unborn child. The hope is that it will persuade many women to keep their baby.
The Ultrasound Informed Consent Act is similar to bills lawmakers in states like Texas, South Carolina and Georgia have proposed.
Pregnancy centers routinely show women ultrasound photos and a high percentage of women decide against having an abortion.
"It is necessary and right to provide a woman seeking an abortion with all the available information so that she may make the most informed decision possible," Brownback told LifeNews.com.
"The [bill] would ensure that women have access to important information," he added.
Brownback said the requirements of the legislation are placed solely on the abortion practitioner and not the pregnant mother. A woman seeking an abortion may refuse to view the images of the ultrasound after the results are made available to her
"I am hopeful that this bill will inform women and will cause a deeper reflection on the humanity of unborn children. It is important to promote a culture that values life in all stages," Brownback said.
Some of the Republican candidates for president have commented on this kind of pro-life bill.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who has signed pro-life bills into law as governor in his state, says he backs the idea.
"I'm pro-life and my attitude has always been if we're going to take a position, take it on the side of preserving life," he said. "Anytime we can help to highlight what an abortion is, that would be a good thing."
Arizona Sen. John McCain says he, too, favors the abortion-ultrasound requirement.
"Given the profound nature of a decision to end the life of an unborn child," he said. "I believe the more information that can be provided to a woman struggling with the decision of whether or not to have an abortion, the better."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney endorsed the measure as well, according to spokeswoman Gail Gitcho.
"Gov. Romney is pro-life," Gitcho explained adding that "(He) believes that states should be free to place restrictions on abortion, and favors measures that protect the sanctity of life."
But a representative of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani hedged on whether he would support the pro-life bill.
"The ultrasound proposal currently under consideration is a good example of a matter best left to the states to decide," Elliott Bundy said about the pro-abortion mayor's views.
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