Pierre, S.D., Feb 19, 2006 / 22:00 pm
The South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee passed legislation Feb. 17 that will ban abortion in the state. HB 1215 moved out of committee with a 5-2 vote. It is expected to face a final vote in the full Senate by Thursday.
The South Dakota House already has overwhelmingly approved the measure that would make South Dakota the first state to ban abortion since the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. It is hoped that Gov. Mike Rounds will sign the legislation, which will likely face a challenge in the federal courts.
“We are proud of the state of South Dakota for taking a leadership roll in what is becoming a movement to challenge head-on the facts of Roe that we believe were wrongly decided in 1973,” said Operation Rescue president Troy Newman, who was present the historic vote. Operation Rescue a leading pro-life Christian organization.
Five other states — Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, and Kentucky — have introduced similar abortion bans, which are currently working their ways through the state legislatures.
“What we are seeing is the beginning of a revolt in the states that no longer wish to tolerate the shedding of innocent blood on their soil,” said Newman. “We are encouraged that we are seeing the beginnings of a movement that will soon put an end to abortion in America once and for all.”