LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Joseph Bellino on Wednesday voted no on Democratic bills to promote abortion and remove safeguards for women.
“When people voted on Proposal 3 last year, they were told that it wouldn’t affect commonsense protections for women – but these measures would do exactly that,” said Bellino, R-Monroe. “While Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to strengthen safeguards for women, Senate Democrats are rushing dangerous bills to repeal long-standing protections for women and the unborn.”
Senate Bills 37, 39 and 93 and House Bills 4006 and 4032 would remove guardrails to protect the health and safety of women and the unborn, such as laws regarding the selling of drugs to cause an abortion. SB 2 would repeal a section of law referencing the use of indecent or obscene language in publishing information on contraceptives and abortion-related drugs.
Prior to passage, Democrats voted down Republican amendments to protect babies with Down syndrome, strengthen penalties for abortion coercion, provide funding for safe housing, prenatal care, and other pregnancy resources for women in need, and improve Michigan’s adoption services to ensure every child can find a loving forever home.
Earlier this month, Bellino introduced SB 112 as part of a multi-bill package by Senate Republicans to provide resources for expectant mothers.
Bellino’s bill would prohibit certain state and local governmental entities from requiring pregnancy resource centers to offer abortion services or provide a referral for abortion services.
“My bill would protect pregnancy resource centers who help pregnant women with tests, ultrasounds and counseling,” Bellino said. “These centers should not be forced to promote a procedure they don’t support.”
SB 112 was offered as part of a tie-bar to SB 39, but the amendment failed along party lines. SBs 2, 37, 39 and 93 now head to the House of Representatives for consideration. HBs 4006 and 4032 will soon head to the governor to be signed.
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