The Kansas Senate late Thursday afternoon overwhelmingly refused to bring a bill out of committee that would have banned abortion.
Republican state Sen. Mark Steffen of Hutchinson tried to force the chamber to pull a bill from committee that would ban abortions except when necessary to preserve the life of a woman in an medical emergency.
But the Senate voted the motion down 7-26. Five Republican senators passed on voting.
The bill, introduced on behalf of Students for Life Action, also would have outlawed the manufacturing, distribution or prescription of drugs that induce abortion.
The legislation would have allowed anyone to bring a civil action against anyone who violates the law or “engages in conduct that aids or abets” violation of the law.
Kansans for Life, Kansas Family Voice and the Kansas Catholic Conference sent an email to select senators explaining that the bill would likely invite a court challenge that could set back other limits on the procedure.
“Pro-life Kansans are focused on what the abortion industry does not do: Showing authentic care and compassion for women facing unexpected pregnancies,” the email said.
“Now, more than ever, is the time to focus on policies that will truly save lives.
“Our courts are intent on striking down every law that comes their way that puts any guardrails on the abortion industry.”
The motion was opposed by Republican senators, who traditionally oppose abortion rights.
“Sometime allies in a war disagree on battle tactics,” said Republican state Sen. Mike Thompson.
“On multiple occasions over the past year or so, I’ve explained to my allies who are the proponents of Senate Bill 286 why hearing this bill would be detrimental to achieving our mutual goal of overturning the Hodes decision and protecting life in Kansas,” he said.
“I’ve sought the counsel of pro-life leaders here in Kansas and those who have been on the forefront of fighting for pro-life legislation nationally for decades,” Thompson said.
“They all agree there are issues with the language of this bill that would thwart our efforts to establish a culture of life in Kansas,” he said.
“I just can’t support an effort that would set us back,” he said.
The Kansas Supreme Court – in the case known as Hodes – has already found that the state constitution protects the right to an abortion.
And in 2022, Kansas voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have removed the right to an abortion from the state constitution.
Steffen said the organization that brought the bill to the Legislature is a “thriving, growing, powerful organization that leads the pro-life industry at this point in time.
“I want you all to know who they are, what they’re about and that they’re coming, they’re coming strong, they’re coming with a lot of years behind them,” he said.
“Individually, we all have to answer to the good Lord on how we personally dealt with abortion,” Steffen said.
“We as a body, as an elected legislature, don’t have that luxury,” he said.
“We are the pharisees of the 21st Century.
“We’re responsible for making this society into what it looks like, feels like, tastes likes, smells like. We’ll have to answer for that in due time.”
Dinah Sykes, the top Democrat in the Senate, said the abortion issue was decided when the constitutional amendment was voted down in August 2022.
“Kansas overwhelmingly told the nation on Aug. 2 that a woman should have the right to choose,” Sykes said.
“I vote ‘no’ because we have already voted for this.”
