HUNTER INTRODUCES RIGHT TO LIFE ACT: BILL WOULD DECLARE LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION; NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE, INCEST, OR SAVING A MOTHER'S LIFE

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February 13, 2009 (Washington DC) --“Congressman Duncan Hunter has introduced H.R. 881, which would declare that life begins at conception. The Right to Life Act would establish “personhood of the unborn” by requiring equal protection under the 14th amendment of the Constitution to the “born and unborn” beginning with the moment of fertilization or cloning.

Hunter’s bill contains no exceptions for victims of rape or incest, or to save a woman’s life. Yet during his campaign, Hunter told East County Magazine that while he is pro-life, he would support exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or when a mother’s life is in danger. That article, http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=congressional_candidates_address_is..., was praised by Hunter campaign spokesperson Margaret Hunter in an e-mail to East County Magazine as “one of the most objective articles” written about the 52nd campaign.)

"Our primary obligation as elected leaders is to protect the fundamental rights and livelihood of the American people, especially those who are incapable of protecting themselves," said Hunter, a Republican whose district includes most of East County. "In the years since abortion was legalized in Roe v. Wade, millions of children have tragically been denied their basic right to life under the Constitution. "Our children deserve the opportunity to grow and live in a society that values and respects human life. This legislation ensures that every child has the same chance to experience life and succeed by putting an end to the practice of abortion."

The Right to Life Act would declare that life begins at conception and, therefore, the unborn are entitled to the same rights and protections afforded to American citizens under the 5th and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

Hunter’s bill specifically provides that a mother should not be prosecuted for terminating a pregnancy, but leaves open the door for prosecution of a doctor or other person who performs an abortion or assists a woman in obtaining the procedure.

Sylvia Hampton, health director for the League of Women Voters of San Diego County, criticized Hunter’s action. “If Hunter wants to help cut down on abortions he should support family planning funding to help women get the birth control they need but often cannot afford,” she observed, nothing that the new Congressman recently voted against a bill that funded family planning services.

She added, “The League of Women Voters believes that public policy in a pluralistic society must affirm the constitutional right of privacy in an individual’s reproductive choices. The League has consistently opposed legislation like Rep. Duncan D. Hunter’s bill which would give a fertilized human egg the same rights and protections as the woman in whose body it rests. With a problem pregnancy, this creates a conflict that can only be resolved by the woman herself in consultation with her doctor and her loved ones, not the government. “

The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee but has little chance of passage in the current Congress. Details at this link, or scroll down for full text and cosponsors:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-881


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Comments

Right to Life Act

You know that Duncan Jr only did this to get campaign contributions for the next election. This will never pass, but members of the religious right-wing will think he's doing a great job and give him money.

New Congressman attempts to make a splash

Fine, so Duncan D. makes a grab for what some believe is "Republican Base" support.

This little bill has no chance of passing through the hallowed halls of the House, so what was his real motivation for introducing this bill?

Hunter's bill contains no exceptions for victims of rape or incest, or to save a woman's life. Yet during his campaign, Hunter told East County Magazine that while he is pro-life, he would support exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or when a mother's life is in danger.

Duncan D. proposes that across this entire country, any doctor that aborts a fetus to save the life of the woman carrying it, WILL BE PROSECUTED!

So, what does this tell us about our new congressional representative?

He is against family planning, and he would rather have a mother die to save a fetus.

He prefers a victim of rape and/or incest to carry then nurture the evidence of the crime without any recourse.

Any doctor that respects their patient's wishes and saves their life or eliminates the evidence of a brutal crime is going to jail!

I prefer to give the newcomer a break and attribute this DOA bill to my original statement. He is grabbing for the nearly lifeless "base" support.