House overrides veto of abortion bill (Updated)

Submitted by The City Wire Staff on Wed, 02/27/2013 - 7:15pm

Editor's note: Story updated to include comment from Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith.

The Arkansas House of Representatives voted Wednesday (Feb. 27) to override Gov. Mike Beebe’s veto of HB 1037, a bill that would restrict abortions after 20 weeks.

The House vote was 53-28 to support the override of the gubernatorial veto. The bill was Beebe’s first veto of the session.

The Arkansas Senate will consider the override on Thursday (Feb. 28).

Beebe said HB 1037 by Rep. Andy Mayberry, R-Hensley, the “pain capable abortion” bill, violated the U.S. Constitution and would cost taxpayers money through litigation.
Mayberry had promised to lead an override effort after the Governor’s veto.

“I think this is a great bill. It saves babies lives. This bill – even under the current Roe v. Wade ruling – is constitutional,” he said.

Beebe has vetoed more than 10 measures in previous legislative sessions during his six years as Governor.

The Senate vote is likely a formality, with 25 in the 35-member Senate voting for the HB 1037. Only 18 votes are required to override the veto.

Eight of the nine Senators representing all or portions of the Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas areas are Republicans, and they voted for the bill. However, Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith, is not 100% certain he will follow his vote for HB 1037 with a supporting vote to override Beebe's veto.

“I’m unsure how I will vote tomorrow and want to visit with some attorneys who can speak to the constitutionality of the measure. I know our constitution is unique, but this bill was found constitutional in Nebraska,” Files told The City Wire. “While strongly pro-life, I am ready to move the focus of this Legislature to fiscal policy talks and bills that will help retain and attract jobs here.”

Sen. Uvalde Lindsey of Fayetteville, the lone Democrat among the nine Senators, voted against the bill and doesn’t plan to change his vote for the override.

“I’m not going to change my stripes now. ... I’ve voted against all these bills, and I’m not going to go the other direction now,” Lindsey said.

Five Star Votes:

Comments

Abortion

Submitted by Morality (not verified) on Fri, 03/01/2013 - 12:48pm.

Restricting abortion by itself dosen't solve the problem . I think it is more sinful and cold blooded to insist protection until birth and then The law as written abandons The infant to disease and starvation For a long ant torturous death. The legislators Should be the first in line to adopt these helpless infants that they insist be born

^ Hide this comment.

>> Read this comment.

Interesting

Submitted by PeterGriffin on Fri, 03/01/2013 - 6:52pm.

I happen to agree that an abortion should not occur unless it affects the mother's health after 12 weeks but it is sad that some of the very same people in the legislature (state and federal) will cut programs that assist families with growing the next generation by creating holes in the safety net. I suppose they believe it should be up to the churches to take care of the problem. Then again if you believe you can put 2 wars and Medicare Part "D" and the Wall Street Bailout on the United States Credit Cards and not think there is a day of reckoning then we are all living in a dream or perhaps a nightmare. It's time to pay the piper folks!