Evansville Courier Press: “Rep. Matt Hostettler, R-Patoka, told the Courier & Press he will call for an amendment to “end abortion on demand” in the state…It makes no mention of exceptions.”
ICYMI: Only about 17-percent of Hoosiers support criminalizing abortion in all cases
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today criticized State Representative Matt Hostettler for endorsing an extreme agenda that will endanger the lives of women across Indiana. According to the Evansville Courier & Press, Hostettler announced he would call for a state constitutional amendment that would pass a total ban on abortions – even in cases of rape, incest, and saving the life of the mother. Should this extreme policy become law, it would force victims of rape and survivors of incest to give birth to their attacker’s baby. It would force women to die during pregnancy.
According to a 2019 Ball State University survey, only about 17-percent of Hoosiers support Hostettler’s extreme views. The politician’s agenda is similar to many in the Indiana Republican Party who plan to hold a special session to ban a woman’s right to legal and safe abortions.
“Like most of the Indiana Republican Party, what Matt Hostettler is really saying is that he’s comfortable with victims of rape and survivors of incest to have their attacker’s baby. This agenda is extreme and callous. It’s why a majority of Hoosiers oppose policies like this that are heinous and simply don’t belong in a nation like the United States,” said Lauren Ganapini, executive director of the Indiana Democratic Party. “Matt Hostettler doesn’t belong in a doctor’s office as Hoosier women are making very personal health care choices. It’s a violation of privacy for a politician to be in the doctor’s office, and it’s past time these men stay out of a woman’s business.”
In contrast, Indiana Democrats staunchly support a woman’s right to legal and safe abortions. It’s why politicians like André Carson and Frank Mrvan supported the Women’s Health Protection Act and why the Biden Administration announced doctors must perform abortions under medical emergencies, regardless of state laws. Abortions don’t stop just because they are illegal, and it’s why Democrats will support women and the 83-percent of Hoosiers who support abortion access in some form.
Evansville Courier & Press: Indiana lawmaker says he’ll seek constitutional amendment to outlaw abortion
When Indiana legislators meet next week to debate abortion restrictions, they’ll have at least one constitutional amendment to consider.
Rep. Matt Hostettler, R-Patoka, told the Courier & Press he will call for an amendment to “end abortion on demand” in the state. According to Hostettler, the amendment would “give a pre-born child the same rights as an Indiana citizen once the child’s mother is aware she is pregnant.” It makes no mention of exceptions.
Hostettler said he introduced the same measure earlier this year while the General Assembly was in session, but it did not receive a hearing. Amendments to the state constitution must be agreed to by two consecutive general assemblies and then ratified by a majority of Indiana voters voting during a general election.”Unfortunately, any legislation we pass could be undone by future legislative majorities that might not share our pro-life values,” Hostettler said. “It’s imperative we settle this issue once and for all, and protect life for generations to come.” […]
Indiana’s special session opens July 25. Legislative leaders have not said if the right to abortion will remain in instances of rape, incest of health of the pregnant person.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed anti-abortion legislation in the past but hasn’t stated what type of new abortion-related law he would support. […]
One Southern Indiana lawmaker who supports the right to abortion, Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, is urging her colleagues to be wary of taking too rigid a stand against it.
People don’t want that, Becker said, who has expressed concern that Indiana could ban abortions for women who are victims of rape or incest.
Senate Republicans have polling data on the issue, Becker said.
“What I think the (Senate) leadership has been surprised at is the responses — that women do not agree with the (U.S. Supreme Court’s) Roe v. Wade decision,” she told the Courier & Press. […]
Other lawmakers from the Evansville area routed Courier & Press inquiries about their abortion stances to prepared statements or legislative staff.
A call to Sen. Jim Tomes, a Wadesville Republican who’s been staunchly anti-abortion throughout his political career, was returned by Statehouse-based press secretary Samantha Deese.
“I don’t think he wishes to speak about the special session at this time,” Deese said. ” … I think it’s still in the process, and we’re still working things out.”
Three area Republican lawmakers — Reps. Cindy Ledbetter of Newburgh and Tim O’Brien and Wendy McNamara of Evansville — were among the signers of a March letter to Gov. Eric Holcomb urging him to call a special session if Roe vs. Wade was overturned.
Ledbetter, McNamara and O’Brien responded to Courier & Press phone messages with an identical news release indicating vague support for abortion restrictions and assistance for expectant mothers, but without greater detail.
“While it’s too early to know what possible legislation could look like, I look forward to discussing this important issue with my House colleagues and taking action to strengthen protections for the unborn,” McNamara is quoted as saying.
“This rightful ruling allows us to take action to further preserve the sanctity of life,” Ledbetter said of the Supreme Court’s recent decision.
O’Brien said lawmakers will “carefully weigh the best course of action to continue Indiana’s track record of protecting life at all stages.”
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