Abortion bill stalls in Senate

Christian Century, Oct 7, 1998

Proposed legislation making it a crime to take a minor across state lines for an abortion to avoid parental involvement laws stalled in the Senate September 22. "The likelihood that we will be able to continue with respect to this legislation during this Senate session seems very unlikely," said Senator Spencer Abraham (R., Mich.), sponsor of the bill. He cited the amount of business pending before the scheduled October 9 Senate adjournment.

Sixty votes were needed to end debate and proceed to voting on the bill. But the vote to cut off debate garnered only 54 votes. Supporters of abortion rights hailed the vote on the law they believe would endanger teens facing unintended pregnancies. Roger Rathman, spokesman for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said the bill would not aid the health of teenagers or enhance family communication. "It is just another cynical item on the congressional antichoice agenda," he said.

Antiabortion advocates were disappointed that the bill did not move forward. "We are dismayed that 45 senators voted with Clinton to kill legislation to protect young women and girls from harmful manipulation, often by much older male boyfriends," said Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee.

In July the House voted 276-150 for a similar bill that would make it a crime for any person other than a parent or legal guardian to take a minor to another state for an abortion to circumvent parental notification and consent laws. The White House and some Democrats had wanted exemptions for relatives and friends who would have faced fines and a year in jail for aiding a minor.