A Kentucky lawmaker wants to tack an amendment onto a domestic violence bill that would classify abortion as a “brutal form of domestic violence.”
State Rep. Joe Fischer (R) attached an amendment banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy to a bill expanding domestic violence protections for dating couples, Louisville radio station WFPL reported Tuesday.
“The most brutal form of domestic violence is the violence against unborn children,” Fischer told WFPL. “And, this particular bill would prohibit abortions after the fetus feels pain, which is 20 weeks and older.”
Several states, including Texas and North Carolina, passed legislation last year that set up such 20-week bans. The Supreme Court rejected Arizona’s appeal to implement its 20-week abortion ban earlier this month.
The Kentucky domestic violence bill has strong support among House Democrats, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. But House Speaker Greg Stumbo, a Democrat, told the newspaper that he’s likely to rule Fischer’s abortion amendment is “not germane” to the legislation and may be ignored.
“This is a solidly pro-life state, even if you don’t see it reflected in what happens here in the House,” Fischer told the Herald-Leader. “But elections ultimately will decide the issue.”
h/t Huffington Post
