| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 18, 1999 | Patrick Condon (651-296-2317) |
ST. PAUL Legislation sponsored by Rep. Richard Mulder (R-Ivanhoe) would end the gruesome process known as "partial-birth" abortions. Mulder's bill was approved by several House committees this week, and should go before the full House soon.
"Partial-birth abortions are a hideous, painful procedure that are also completely unnecessary from a medical standpoint," said Mulder, who is a medical doctor. Under partial- birth abortions, an otherwise healthy baby is partially delivered, then terminated by having their brains removed. The procedure is most often performed in the late stages of a pregnancy, when the child is almost fully developed.
"Even many people who support abortion rights agree that this particular procedure should be made illegal," Mulder said. "Partial-birth abortion has nothing to do with 'choice' or 'rights' it is pure cruelty, plain and simple."
Already, 25 states have passed laws banning partial-birth abortions, and the laws have taken effect in seven states. So far, the Supreme Court has not ruled on the constitutionality of the procedures, but a ruling is inevitable.
"I hope it does go to the Supreme Court," Mulder said. "I am confident they will find these laws completely supportable, from a constitutional standpoint."
Twice, the U.S. Congress has passed laws banning partial-birth abortions, and twice, President Clinton has vetoed the bill. The U.S. House of Representatives overrode Clinton's veto, but the U.S. Senate failed to do so by one vote. In Minnesota, two attempts in previous years to pass this legislation were defeated by the Democrat-controlled Legislature.
Mulder said he would be happy to answer any questions from constituents about partial- birth abortions, and encouraged them to contact him. "The more people learn the details of this procedure, the more they are opposed to it," Mulder said.
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