Anti-Abortion Groups Urge Tenn. Lawmakers To Take Foot Off The Gas On New Legislation
Court cases are still making their way through the system and anti-abortion activists say more cases could be harmful to the outcomes of the ones already being tried.
The Associated Press:
Tennessee Anti-Abortion Groups At Crossroads On Restrictions
A Tennessee anti-abortion group is urging state lawmakers invigorated by Donald Trump's presidential victory to hold off on passing new abortion restrictions until the courts decide the fate of several major abortion laws.The wait-and-see approach seems odd for a Bible belt state after Trump's election emboldened U.S. social conservatives eager to roll back Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling legalizing abortion nationwide. But the group Tennessee Right to Life is asking lawmakers to avoid passing more limitations until the courts weigh in on laws the state has already passed. (2/7)
In other news —
The Associated Press:
House Votes To Defund Planned Parenthood
The [Virginia] House of Delegates voted Tuesday to defund Planned Parenthood despite protests by women’s rights advocates on the Capitol grounds and in the House chamber. On a 60-33 party-line vote, the House approved HB 2264, which would cut off federal Title X funding for Planned Parenthood and any other groups that perform abortions in Virginia. Without the funding, the organization says it would have to shut its five clinics in the state. (Martin, 2/7)
Cincinnati.com:
Bill Targets Planned Parenthood, Maybe Churches
Many conservatives have touted "defunding" Planned Parenthood as a goal for years, but a new bill targeting that organization potentially could affect a wider range of groups, including churches, if Kentucky's Republican-run legislature approves it. House Bill 149 would prohibit public funds from going to any organizations or individuals that provide abortion services or are affiliates of that type of group. It includes exceptions for hospitals, universities and medical schools. (Watkins, 2/7)
Iowa Public Radio:
Republican Lawmakers Look To Stop Fetal Tissue Research
Legislation that bans the transfer or receipt of fetal tissues has passed out of subcommittee in the Iowa state Senate. Federal law already makes it illegal to sell fetal tissues for profit, but supporters of the bill say they don’t want aborted fetuses used in research. Iowa’s Board of Regents, the governing body of the state’s public colleges and universities, is one of several opponents of this legislation due to its impact on research. Keith Saunders, the board's state relations officer, says if the bill becomes law, university scientists would have to stop work on a more than 40-year-old line of human embryonic kidney cells known as HEK-293. (Boden, 2/7)
