State Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) released the following statement on the passage of Democrats’ first abortion bill, House File 1, by the Senate at 3 a.m. Saturday:  

“With their first abortion expansion bill, Democrats gave us a window into just how extreme they are. Legalizing abortions up to the moment of birth, with no restrictions or protections for mothers and babies, is not what Minnesota signed up for. It is insanity. We should be doing everything we can to protect life.”

The bill was passed on party lines, 34-33. Senate Republicans offered a number of critical amendments—all of which were struck down on party-line votes, and many of which were not deemed worthy of discussion by the majority party. Key amendments that were offered include:

• Allowing unborn babies to have anesthesia
• Ban on late-term abortions
• Ban on partial-birth abortion
• Ban on abortions during active labor
• Ban on abortions of babies with Down Syndrome
• Ban on sterilization of minors
• Requirement of licensing and inspection of abortion facilities
• Requirement of parental notification for minors