On Saturday, Jan. 28, after over 12 hours of debate on the topic, Senate Democrats passed extreme abortion legislation that protects “abortion” and “reproductive rights” with no safeguards or limitations. The seemingly short, less-than-a-page bill goes far beyond the scope of both Doe v. Gomez and Roe v. Wade.
Senator Gene Dornink (R- Brownsdale) released the following statement:
“As a father of many children, the passage of the Democrats’ extreme abortion bill – legal abortion at any point during pregnancy – is truly heartbreaking. I can’t comprehend how anyone could choose to end an innocent life moments before their birth. This legislation is absent of any protections for mothers and babies and is not what Minnesota signed up for. I will continue my steadfast commitment to the sanctity of life.”
The bill 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:
- Ban on third-trimester abortions
- Prohibition of violent Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) abortions
- Language that would have excluded sterilization from the umbrella of “reproductive rights”
- Requirement of parental notification
- Language that would have prevented the sterilization of minors
- Prohibition of abortions due to down syndrome