Arkansas Abortion Bill Vetoed By Governor Mike Beebe
Source: Huffington Post
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe on Tuesday vetoed a ban on most abortions in Arkansas at 20 weeks into a pregnancy, setting up an override fight with a Republican-controlled Legislature that has been pushing for more restrictions on the procedure.
Beebe said he vetoed the ban, which is based on the disputed belief that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks, because it runs afoul of the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion until the point where fetuses can survive outside the womb, usually at 22 to 24 weeks. The Republican sponsor of the measure said he'll seek to override Beebe's veto.
"Because it would impose a ban on a woman's right to choose an elective, nontherapeutic abortion before viability, House Bill 1037, if it became law, would squarely contradict Supreme Court precedent," Beebe said in his veto letter. "When I was sworn in as governor I took an oath to preserve, protect and defend both the Arkansas Constitution and the Constitution of the United States. I take that oath seriously."
Beebe also cited the cost of a potential lawsuit if the state enacted the ban. The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas has said it would likely sue if it went into effect.
Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/26/arkansas-abortion-bill-vetoed_n_2767940.html?utm_hp_ref=politics
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)BlueToTheBone
(3,747 posts)DreamGypsy
(2,252 posts)Voices of reason are always welcome.
As I was passing through Arkansas, I saw a saw that could out-saw any saw I ever saw; so if you pass through Arkansas and see a saw that can out-saw the saw I saw, I'd like to see the saw you saw saw!
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)SpartanDem
(4,533 posts)Seeking Serenity
(2,840 posts)He's term-limited.
Not sure what he's gonna do in 2014. He may just retire. He's been in Arkansas politics for 30+ years.
sinkingfeeling
(51,457 posts)onestepforward
(3,691 posts)Now that's something to celebrate!
Heidi
(58,237 posts)And good morning, BtA!
Behind the Aegis
(53,959 posts)I sent you a special PM! I hope you like it!
Heidi
(58,237 posts)Beacool
(30,249 posts)It' a pity that he'll be out of office by 2014. They will probably elect some RW nut. If anything, Clinton and Beebe were anomalies. AR is even more conservative now than in Clinton's time.