FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Contact: Jeanne Gawdun,
Kansans for Life Director of Government Relations
785-383-8636
Jeanne@KFL.org
Coalition of state pro-life groups and legislators introduce VALUE THEM BOTH Constitutional Amendment
A coalition of pro-life organizations that includes the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, the Kansas Catholic Conference (KCC), and Concerned Women for America of Kansas (CWA) and Kansans for Life (KFL), along with several state legislators, introduced VALUE THEM BOTH, an amendment to the Kansas Constitution that safeguards both women and babies from what could soon be an unregulated abortion industry created by the ruling in Hodes & Nauser v. Schmidt.
VALUE THEM BOTH restores to the people of Kansas, through their elected officials, the ability to regulate the abortion industry in a way that protects both women and babies. Hodes & Nauser v. Schmidt put at risk broadly supported regulations like bans on brutal late-term abortion and taxpayer funded abortions, parental notification requirements and clinic safety standards, leaving both women and babies without even the most basic health and safety standards.
Statements from VALUE THEM BOTH supporters:
“The recent ruling removed the legal underpinning for laws that permit regulating abortion and made Kansas the Wild West for abortion. This amendment will restore the foundation for basic regulations to be placed around the abortion industry,” said Brittany Jones, Esq., Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, Director of Advocacy.
“Unlimited abortion hurts women and babies. VALUE THEM BOTH places the power to regulate the abortion industry back in the people’s hands where it belongs,” stated Jeanne Gawdun, KFL Director of Government Relations.
Kansas State Senate President Susan Wagle agreed. “Every reasonable, publicly-supported regulation of the abortion industry may soon be struck down. This would be both dangerous and devastating to the women and babies of Kansas. VALUE THEM BOTH restores the voice of the people on this all-important matter.”
State Representative Susan Humphries added, “When we have passed previous abortion regulation measures, the abortion industry has fought all efforts, even the most basic health and safety standards for women. That industry has not been trustworthy in the past and there is no reason to believe it will be trustworthy in the future. The abortion industry needs the oversight allowed by this amendment.”
“No Kansan wants our state to be a destination for dismemberment and late-term abortions,” said Kansas State Representative Susan Concannon. “The VALUE THEM BOTH amendment reflects Kansas values.”
“I don’t need to tell anyone that this is an emotional issue. Even the editorial board of the Kansas City Star recognizes that the best way to resolve this issue is by the people at the ballot box,” stated State Senator Julia Lynn.
The KCC’s Jeanette Pryor said that, “Pregnant middle school girls need advice from their loving moms and pediatricians, not traveling abortionists. VALUE THEM BOTH helps parents not strangers guide their daughters.”
Barbara Saldivar of CWA concluded, “Kansans feel passionately about this issue. Why not just let the people decide?”
VALUE THEM BOTH will be introduced in both the Kansas House and Senate, and upon referral to committees, scheduled for hearings. Once it passes the legislature with a 2/3rd majority in each chamber, it will be put on the ballot for a vote of the people in August of 2020. The amendment language reads as follows:
Because Kansans value both women and children, the constitution of the state of Kansas does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. To the extent permitted by the United States Constitution, the people through their elected state representatives and state senators may pass laws regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, in circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.
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