Washington D.C., Apr 28, 2005 / 22:00 pm
An official of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging the Senate to pass a bill that would prevent adults from accompanying minor girls across state lines for an abortion without their parents’ consent.
It would also oblige doctors to inform parents before performing an abortion on a minor girl who is from out of state.
The House of Representatives passed the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, H.R. 748, yesterday. Cathy Cleaver Ruse praised the passage of the bill, but said the Senate must follow through.
“The practice of taking teens across state lines for secret abortions strikes at the heart of the family and the rights of parents," said the director of planning and information for the USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities.
Ruse said secret abortions also present “a grave danger” to the girls who undergo the surgical procedure without their medical records, and with no medical follow-up.
This Senate sponsor for the bill is Senator John Ensign (R-Nv.).