By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Tuesday, February 22, Pro-Life forces gather in Montgomery for the rights of the unborn. A series of events are set Tuesday in Montgomery. All are open to the public.
The Alabama House of Representatives has already passed the Unborn Baby Dignity of Life Act (HB 45) on Wednesday, February 17.
State Representative Tim Wadsworth (R-Winston County) said that HB45 Unborn Baby Dignity of Life Bill prevents the sale or other improper disposition of a deceased unborn child.
The Alabama House Republican Caucus wrote, “Unborn Infants’ Dignity of Life Act – Recent reports about outrageous acts by Planned Parenthood and its representatives have prompted public outcry regarding the organization and the cavalier practices it utilizes regarding unborn life. In order to ensure that these atrocities do not occur in Alabama, the House Republican Caucus will offer legislation banning the sale of the bodily remains of unborn infants.”
At 9:30 a.m. there will be a public hearing on more pro-life bills in the House Health Committee in Statehouse Room 200.
From 10-11 a.m. Pro-Life groups will hold a Legislative Day training session in Room 123.
At noon the Pro-Life Rally will be held on the front steps of Alabama Statehouse.
At 12:15 Alabama State Auditor Jim Zeigler (R) is expected to declare 2016 “The Year of the Unborn” in his address to the annual Pro-Life Rally. Zeigler says he will declare 2016 “The Year of the Innocent Unborn” due to the opportunity to elect a President who can appoint Pro-Life justices to the US Supreme Court. The Statehouse is at 11 S. Union Street in Montgomery.
The Unborn Baby Dignity of Life Act now goes to the Alabama Senate.
On Sunday, February 21, Pro-life Ohio Governor and Presidential Candidate John Kasich signed a law prohibiting the state from contracting with organizations that perform or promote abortion. Ohio Right to Life’s legislation prohibits the state from contracting for health services with any organization that performs or promotes abortions, which includes $1 million in government funds to Planned Parenthood.
Ohio HB294 passed the Ohio House by a vote of 59 to 32 and the Senate 22 to 8. Alabama Right to Life would like to see Alabama pass similar legislation.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) renounced Alabama’s lone contract with Planned Parenthood Southeast after troubling videos were released apparently showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing selling fetal body parts to researchers. Planned Parenthood sued saying that the state has exceeded its authority to unilaterally end the contract as Medicaid is a federal and state joint program and the Obama Administration did not authorize the state to cancel the contract.
Last year, the State attempted to increase the health and safety requirements for Alabama’s abortion clinics. A federal judge overturned that legislation. The State joined a multi-state appeal led by Texas to the US Supreme Court. The death of US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who was sympathetic to the Pro-Life cause, may have hurt the State’s chances of victory in this case.
