STATE HOUSE--The state Senate takes up amendments Thursday afternoon on a bill to ban nearly all abortions in Indiana.
Democrats attempted a procedural maneuver Wednesday to overhaul the bill, seeking to replace the Senate Rules Committee’s markup of the bill with a minority committee report. Republicans rejected that effort on a voice vote.
As it stands now, the bill would ban abortions in Indiana except where the mothers life is at risk, or in cases of rape or incest. The Rules Committee narrowed the rape and incest exceptions, allowing abortion only within eight weeks of the assault, or within 12 weeks if the victim is under 16. Victims would also have to sign an affidavit attesting to either.
“I find it extremely disturbing that in a democracy the majority silences the minority on one of the most significant debates in 50 years in the State of Indiana,” said Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis), before being admonished by Senate Pres. Pro Tem Rod Bray (R-Martinsville) for breaking parliamentary procedure.
“I’m offended. I’m offended that my mere motion and my report, through a parliamentary procedure, was denied in this body,” said Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis).
Taylor also objected to Bray’s decision in a Tuesday committee hearing to hear just two Democratic amendments, both of which were rejected. Any senator can offer amendments before the full Senate, but committee chairs have discretion to decide which amendments are heard in committee.
“This has solidified my opinion on we are doing today and in this special session more than anything I’ve heard in the last two days. You don’t care about the minority. You care about power,” said Taylor.
