House Dems Keep Abortion Legal Up to Birth

Dems in House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee table Pro-life Legislation


House Committee Kills Bills, Uphold Inhumane Abortion Practices 

Sunday, Democrat members of the House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee voted down HB 220 and HB 221 in 3-2 party line votes.  HB 220 would protect women and infants from dangerous late-term abortions, while HB 221 would require that a young woman notify her parent before having an abortion. (More photos and updates below).
 
Expert witness Maryrose Turner MD, testified in support of HB 220 and demonstrated a dismemberment D & E abortion on infants up to 24 weeks, "What is the baby feeling during this procedure? It is well established in the medical literature that babies by 20 weeks gestation have developed pain receptors. It has been the standard of care for decades for premature infants to receive pain relief during procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit."
"In fetal surgery for conditions such as urinary system blockage, hydrocephalus, or congenital diaphragmatic hernia, the mother must receive general anesthesia so that the baby is also sufficiently anesthetized for the operation. Dr. Turner also said, "By New Mexico's animal cruelty statute, [the late-term abortion] procedure is considered inhumane. You must understand how a second trimester abortion is performed, and judge if that is also inhumane."

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Denae Romero, mother of baby Anica (above), also spoke in favor of HB 220 and described herself as speaking on behalf of thousands, "I stand before you with what we are talking about and what we are fighting for," said mother of baby Anneka motioning to her daughter, "It's not within our right to make that decision. Faith aside, science aside, we owe [babies] the right, as human beings, to have a shot to live.  If something happens, something happens, but we should not make that decision.
"Because you see these demonstrations on tables and it's just a doll, it's easy because you don't see the blood, you don't see it so its not real," baby Anneka's mother continued, "The numbers and the statistics are not real.  This is a baby [holding child]  Anneka. Let this be more than numbers.  Let this about more than politics. New Mexico is a mess, everything is a mess, please think of Anneka, a baby."  Thanks to all expert witnesses including Dr. Turner, Cindy Vandi, RN and ultrasound technician for Care Net of Valencia county. 

Parental Notification, Abortion and Child Abuse:  The Cover Up Continues Thanks to House Democrats

HB 221, the Parental Notification of Abortion included expert witness testimony from Sierra Schroff and Clay Schroff of the Zoe Project, who work with at risk children, including victims of human trafficking, Laura Rosecrans of Surrendered Hearts Abortion Recovery, a survivor of rape and forced abortion as a minor and others. Elisa Martinez, Executive Director for NM Alliance for Life also served as expert witness for HB 221 and read actual cases of child abuse victims taken for abortions:  "there are hundreds of reported cases of victims, underage girls brought in for an abortion by the very person who is abusing them, because it covers up the abuse.  Hundreds of cases are filed against the abortion clinics, but all too often because of lack of parental consent or notification laws parents may not know what is going on with their child.  Local clinics either may not have the resources, or the will, or perhaps they are turning a blind eye to the victims."

"We have to start looking at this issue, not through the lens of politics, but through the lens of what is best for our children and what will protect them best from exploitation," said Martinez. "This sexual abuse is happening on a daily basis and parental notification only serves to give these clinics a necessary tool to be able to detect and identify abuse." 

 
KOB 4 and KRQE 13 both covered the results of the House CPAC hearings on HB 220 and HB 221.  Make sure to weigh in on the comments section of these reports, share this information and help us continue to shed a light on the darkness in our state. 

Thanks to all our bills sponsors, expert witnesses, the pastors and prayer teams that fought for these common sense protections. Many are inspired by the heartfelt testimony from citizens across the state who witnessed for life yesterday, who, unlike the abortion industry, do not have a financial benefit in this cause. Additionally those who showed up in support of life believe the tide is turning, as more citizens become aware of these atrocities taking place. We at NMAFL are encouraged by your support and concern for women, unborn children, our girls, families and our state. We will not stop fighting until these injustices end.

Historic Praise and Worship in the Rotunda was a huge success!  Thanks to Pastor Brian Alarid, Pastor and NM state Rep. David Adkins, Pastor Richard Mansfield, John Robb, Pastor Vince Torres for organizing and all who attended this historic service.