Historic Milestone for Pro-Life Bills, BUT it's FAR from Over to Protecting Women & Unborn in NM

3/7/2015

HB390 & HB391 Pass the House But Senators Need to Hear from You to Get the Bills to the Governor's Desk.

New Mexico Alliance for Life is proud to announce that last night, after SIX hours of debate, HB390 the Late-Term Abortion Ban PASSED the state House of Representatives 42-36 with ALL Republicans and FIVE Democrats voting FOR the bill and HB391 Parental Notification for Abortion Act passed the House 39-28 with ALL Republicans and TWO Democrats voting FOR. Now the Bills head to the State Senate. (Click here to see how your Representative voted)

We heard unified support for the from Republicans including Rep. Conrad James who said children conceived in less than ideal situations still deserved the right to life. Rep. Rod Montoya asked "why killing a child would be considered healthcare?" Rep. Monica Youngblood refuted criticisms from opponents who complained about even debating pro-life bills by saying that "When we were in the minority we sat in this Legislature and debated the rights of lizards, coyotes, of animals' lives for hours and we debated the life issue maybe a couple minutes until now." This was indeed a historic moment as New Mexico legislators stood up in defense of the lives of innocent, unborn babies along with defending parent's rights to simply be notified when their daughter is seeking an abortion-- common sense legislation that those on all sides of the aisle can, and did agree upon last night.

Opponents of HB 390, the Late Term Ban carried by Rep Yvette Herrell, truly were grasping at straws to defend the indefensible-- abortion up to the day of birth for any reason. The lack of intellectually honest arguments from the opposition became more difficult to follow as the evening progressed. Most opponents refused to acknowledge the very reason for a ban on late-term abortion--the innocent and viable unborn baby. Like Rep. Bill McCamley who likened HB390 to racism, Rep. Bill Gomez of Las Cruces was proud that New Mexico had no abortion laws while his county, Doña Ana, is becoming home to several out-of-state abortion clinics. Other pro-abortion up to the day of birth legislators like Rep. Deborah Armstrong refuse to acknowledge the imminent dangers to women, that abortions after 5 months have a 91 times greater risk of DEATH than first trimester abortions and are far more dangerous than natural birth. The pro-abortion up to the day of birth legislators never acknowledged the fact that the vast majority of late-term abortions are purely elective-- this is according to the largest abortion provider in the nation, Planned Parenthood.

The debate on Parental Notification, HB 391 carried by Rep Alonzo Baldonado followed, with equally difficult to understand arguments from the opposition. Rep. Georgene Louis stated that "this bill will cause girls to turn to the internet" and Rep Moe Maestas' insolent claim that "no court cases (to protect girls from abusers) will come about from this bill-- I guarantee you." Sadly, again these legislators refused to acknowledge the facts-- that 60-80 percent of pregnant 15 year old girls and younger are impregnated by and ADULT male. The question that these legislators were never able to answer is: Who are the adults taking our young girls for abortions, if not the parent? It's alarming to most New Mexicans that our young girls can be taken off of school property for an abortion--without a parent even being notified. Yet, a parent must give permission for the school to administer an aspirin to a minor. An aspirin in no way compares to abortion-- an invasive surgical procedure that involves a multitude of risks and side effects which for many adult women includes a lifetime of regret and emotional suffering. HB 391, Parental Notification of Abortion is indisputably a common sense measure to protect our girls and protect parent's rights.

A big thanks goes to Republican Majority Floor Leader Nate Gentry who stood up to Democrat Minority Leader Brian Egolf when Egolf tried to amend the bill, in a blatant political stunt, to change the content of the bill away from a late-term abortion ban to one that funds contraception and early childhood education.

While last night was a historic moment, these bills have yet to become law. In order for that to happen, the Senate must carry these bills through to the Governor. Many Senate members have ties to the late-term abortion industry and Democrats are in the majority. We know there are pro-life Democrats but strong-arm tactics from pro-abortion Senate leaders will try to stop any progress.

That is why we need supporters ACROSS THE STATE TO CONTINUE TO CALL, EMAIL AND VISIT YOUR NM SENATOR. Here is what to politely tell them: "As your constituent I ask you to do WHATEVER IS NECESSARY to get HB390 and HB391 to a full vote on the Senate Floor- this is a matter of life and death and I will be monitoring your actions." YOUR ACTION IS CRITICAL AND SPEAKS VOLUMES, PLEASE SHARE WITH 7 PEOPLE. Take the initiative to save lives- YOU can organize a carpool to visit your senator in Santa Fe, share this urgent information with friends, family, clubs, church groups etc. If you need a prepared flyer for your area that targets the Senator in your district, respond to this email and we will prepare one for you to distribute. TIME IS RUNNING OUT AND WE NEED ALL NM SENATORS TO ACT.

In the meantime you may also contact members of the Senate Public Affairs Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee where HB390 and HB391 will most likely get assigned and ask they vote YES to protect the lives of women and unborn viable children and for the bills to get to a full vote in the Senate. If you've already contacted the Senators, it doesn't hurt to contact them again. And be sure to share with family and friends.

These Senators will be the deciding votes on whether Pro-Life Bills Pass their Committees and go to Full Senate. Call, Email and Visit them to make your voice heard, especially if you're in their District.