Abortion Ban Signed by Louisiana Governor

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Written By A. Urti

A statewide ban on abortions has been signed into law by Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco. There is, however, one caveat – the law will not take effect until the United States Supreme Court overturns its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision or until a constitutional amendment is adopted that allows states to ban abortions.

There are no exceptions for rape and incest, and both chambers of the Louisiana legislature overwhelmingly supported the bill – the House by a 85-17 vote and the Senate by a 31-6 vote.

The law does little in the short term, making the provision about enactment a curious one.

Dorinda Bordlee, a pro-life attorney in Louisiana, applauds the strategy of the law’s authors. “Our approach to include a post-Roe activation clause, sometimes called a trigger clause, enabling the legislators to speak their hearts without abortion industry lawyers breathing down their backs,” she said.

Bordlee encouraged other states to follow suit, saying that doing so will help build a consensus to reverse Roe.

At the time the bill was approved by a Senate Committee, Senator Lydia Jackson, who normally opposes pro-life legislation labeled the bill “feel good legislation,” continuing to declare, “This is a bill that does absolutely nothing.”

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Sources:

“Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco Signs State Abortion Ban Into Law,” Life News, June 19, 2006.
http://www.lifenews.com/state1715.html