Printer-friendly version
Lawmakers vote to pass the Women's Right to Know Act, a law which is expected to reduce abortions by 10 percent in North Carolina.
On July 27, 2011, the North Carolina Senate voted to override Democratic Governor Beverly Perdue’s veto of the Women’s Right to Know Act.
The Senate voted 29-19 to cancel Gov. Bev Perdue’s veto of the bill, which mandates a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion is performed and requires abortion clinics to provide mothers seeking an abortion with additional information, including an ultrasound.
The North Carolina House already voted to override the veto earlier this week, so the measure will now become law.
According to the General Assembly’s nonpartisan Fiscal Research staff, the law will reduce the number of abortions in North Carolina by about 10 percent. But the law does not prevent women from getting abortions.
“The Act was drafted to send a statement that North Carolina is interested in protecting innocent life,” Senator Daniel emphasized in an interview with LifeSiteNews. “This particular bill was originally authored back in 1997 and was never allowed to come up for consideration, despite being endorsed by over 15 female legislators over that time period.”
In a statement, North Carolina’s two bishops, Bishops Michael Burbidge of Raleigh and Peter Jugis of Charlotte applauded the legislative override. “This new law affords protection to the lives of many innocent unborn children. It also respects the dignity of women.” In addition, Bishop Burbidge commented, “I am profoundly grateful for all the priests, religious and laity in our Diocese who offered their fervent prayers and strong support on behalf of this historic legislation.”
Since November 2010, for the first time in more than a century, there have been three major pro-life votes. The legislature passed “Ethen’s Law,” which made the unborn child a separate victim in violent crime. They also voted to override the veto of a budget bill gutting Planned Parenthood funding, and voted to allow Choose Life specialty license plates.
by Jeremy Kryn
LifeSiteNews.com
