A motion made in the Senate that would force a vote on an abortion ban “does not advance the cause of life forward in our state,” an email from major pro-life groups sent to senators says.
Republican state Sen. Mark Steffen of Hutchinson made a motion on the Senate floor Wednesaday to pull a bill from committee that would ban abortions except when necessary to preserve the life of a woman in a medical emergency.
He will need 24 votes to pull it from the committee. The Senate will have to vote on the motion Thursday afternoon, just months ahead of election season.
Just last month, Steffen forced the Senate to vote on an amendment to an elections bill requiring hand counts of paper ballots and banning electronic voting machines.
The bill, introduced on behalf of Students for Life Action, also would outlaw the manufacturing, distribution or prescription of drugs that induce abortion.
The legislation would allow anyone to bring a civil action against anyone who violates the law or “engages in conduct that aids or abets” violation of the law.
In his motion, Steffen noted that the bill was introduced March 3, 2023, and referred to the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee where it has “languished.”
“Senate bill 286 is a bill critical to the health, welfare and well being in the pursuit of happiness in our Kansas citizenry,” Steffen said in a motion read by a clerk in the Senate.
The bill was introduced about seven months after Kansas voters had already rejected the Value Them Both amendment, which would have removed the right to an abortion that the state Supreme Court found in the state constitution.
Late Wednesday afternoon, 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.
“There is little doubt the Kansas Supreme Court would welcome the opportunity to review SB 286 and further erode existing limits on the abortion industry, further endangering women, and pre-born babies.
“There is too much at stake and lives are on the line.”
Students for Life Action announced the bill when it was introduced last year.
“Kansas deserves better to be an abortion tourism hotspot and we urge lawmakers to act to protect the lives of preborn future voters of Kansas – not abdicate their responsibility by giving in to the whims of a pro-abortion judiciary,” said Chanel Prunier, Students for Life Action vice president of political affairs.
“The practice of abortion has no place in our society and every life from conception onward deserves protection and dignity.”
