By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Wednesday, May 4, the Alabama House of Representatives passed SB363 which outlaws dismemberment abortions. SB363 was sponsored by Senator Phil Williams (R-Rainbow City) and carried in the House by State Representative Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City).
Rep. Butler said in a statement, “House of Representatives passed a bill that will ban dismemberment abortions in our state. This will basically outlaw all 2nd trimester abortions as 96 percent of these abortions are dismemberment procedures where the arms and legs are literally ripped off of the baby. This is a barbaric procedure and I am proud to have had a hand in stopping this evil. We must defend the defenseless and Celebrate Life.”
Sen. Phil Williams said on Twitter, “Thank you Mack Butler for passing our Dismemberment Abortion Ban on the House tonight!!”
State Representative Will Ainsworth (R-Guntersville) said, “Great job Mack Butler and Sen. Phil Williams on SB363 which prohibits Dismemberment Abortion. The bill passed and it’s a Great day for the State of Alabama.”
National Pro Life Committee Member representing Alabama Cheryl Ciamarra said, “Alabama becomes 5th state in the nation to protect unborn from dismemberment abortions.”
Ciamarra said that SB386 was endorsed by the Alabama Baptist Convention and the Catholic Church’s Bishop Emeritus of North Alabama David Foley and Bishop Robert Baker.
State Auditor Jim Zeigler said, “Both houses have passed the dismemberment bill to stop abortions by butchering the baby. Goes to Gov for signature or veto.”
The Alabama Baptist Convention wrote that: “The Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act would effectively prohibit the most common form of abortion — abortion by dismemberment — in Alabama and be another step toward protecting the lives of unborn children.” The Convention urged, “The Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama State Senate to prioritize passage of similar legislation to the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act in the 2016 Legislative Session; and be it further RESOLVED, That we urge members of the Alabama Legislature to seek effective ways to protect the lives of the unborn through these and other legislative actions….”
Ciamarra said that SB363, the Unborn Child Protection Act, is current law in four states: Kansas, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Mississippi. It has yet to be challenged in any Federal court. Two states have had state court cases however it is not enjoined in either of these states. This legislation is currently pending in eight additional states.
Ciamarra said that dismemberment abortions, “Are a common and brutal type of D&E abortion which involves dismembering a living unborn child piece by piece.
Ciamarra wrote, “Mack Butler, SEN Phil Williams, Speaker Mike Hubbard, Rep Kerry Rich and Ed Henry, Rep Mac McCutcheon , Pro tempore Victor Gaston just too many great people to thank tonight!”
The House also passed SB205 which limits how close than an abortion clinic can be to a school.
Zeigler (R) said, “Both houses have passed the bill preventing abortion clinics within 2,000 feet of a school. If Gov. Bentley signs it, the Huntsville clinic will have to close or move.”
Both SB205 and SB363 now go to Alabama Governor Robert Bentley’s desk for his signature.
The Alabama House GOP wrote in a statement that the Caucus was, “Proud to boldly protect the life of the unborn in the AL House today with the passage of both SB205 and SB363.”
