Decatur Democrat: Heartbeat Bill Is Unconscionable, Draconian

DECATUR, GA -- The local state lawmaker who was physically removed earlier this year from a House podium during an emotion abortion bill debate says the newly signed Heartbeat Bill is "unconscionable." Back in March, state Rep. Renitta Shannon (D-Decatur) was escorted from the House well by her colleagues before House security personnel moved in. Shannon was speaking in opposition to House Bill 481, known as the Heartbeat Bill, which Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law on Tuesday.

“I have fought House Bill 481 since the very beginning," Shannon said Tuesday. "Nearly two months ago, I promised myself that if the speaker put a six-week abortion ban on the floor, he would have to physically remove me to get me to stop fighting against it. As a black Georgian woman who has had an abortion, I know firsthand how destructive forced birthing policies can be, and I said so. I continue to say so.

“By signing HB 481 into law, Gov. Kemp has turned back the clock in Georgia by a half century. This unconscionable bill is set to become law, and we know who will suffer - the women of Georgia. Whether they know it or not, this is an attack on all women. All miscarriages will be subject to suspicion of criminality, and instead of seeking immediate care, women will be weighing if seeking care could mean being criminalized. Black and brown women will be disproportionately criminalized. This bill is not pro-life, but a death sentence for women whose viability of life is not in dispute."

The so-called Heartbeat Bill outlaws most abortions after about six weeks, which is when a fetal heartbeat is usually first detected. It would allow abortions in cases where the mother's life or health is in danger, or in cases of medical emergency. The bill also says that even an unborn child at any stage of development in the womb would be included in state population-based counts.

Georgia is the fourth state to pass such a measure, joining Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio. More than 250 bills restricting abortions have been filed in 41 states this year, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research and advocacy group.

“Georgia has the highest maternal mortality rate in the United States," Shannon said. "And yet, conservatives are restricting access to care rather than increasing. HB 481 bans abortions at six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. It is deliberately unconstitutional, and that is the entire point. Instead of focusing on the very real healthcare challenges that Georgians face every day, conservatives are using taxpayer dollars to wage a national fight by trying to get the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade."

Full coverage from Patch:

• Gov. Kemp To Sign Tough Anti-Abortion Heartbeat Bill On Tuesday
• Hollywood Threatens Boycott As GA Heartbeat Bill Is Approved
• Cobb Lawmakers Targeted For Opposing Heartbeat Bill
• Cobb-Led 'Heartbeat Bill' Clears Another Hurdle, Heads To Senate
• House Passes Cobb-Led Heartbeat Bill | Dems Shun Acworth Lawmaker
• Anti-Abortion 'Heartbeat' Bill Introduced By 2 Cobb Legislators
• Oconee Legislators Support Anti-Abortion Bill
• Decatur Democrat Escorted From Podium In Abortion Debate