Partial Birth Abortion ban proposed by Assemblyman Dave Craig

E-Update - January 19, 2012

Representative Craig's E-Update

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday
This Sunday, January 22, is National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. The day falls on the 39th anniversary of the notorious U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing elective abortion in the United States, Roe v. Wade. The sanctity of human life cause was one of the main factors in my decision to run for office and I am committed to continuing the effort to protect human life in all stages of development. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 7,591 babies were killed by induced abortions in Wisconsin in 2010. That is down from 8,299 reported induced abortions in Wisconsin in 2009. These numbers show that despite the legalization of abortion, we can continue to reduce abortions in this state and I am excited to share with you how I and my colleagues are working to protect both mothers and their unborn children in Wisconsin.

Partial-Birth Abortion BanLast month I introduced a bill, AB 448, that would ban the partial-birth abortion procedure in Wisconsin. A partial-birth abortion is a barbaric and dangerous procedure in which an abortionist partially delivers a pre-born baby in the 20th-26th week of gestation, or later, and intentionally kills the baby, literally inches from life-saving recognition as a "born" human being, fully vested with the right to life. A state-level ban would allow district attorneys to prosecute this heinous crime against innocent, pre-born babies, instead of relying on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to prosecute violations of the federal ban in Wisconsin. Status: AB 448 is currently pending in the Assembly Committee on Health.

Personhood AmendmentI am pleased to be a co-sponsor of Rep. André Jacque's personhood amendment, Assembly Joint Resolution 77 (AJR 77). AJR 77 corrects an error in the Wisconsin Constitution, which states that, "All people are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights; among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Rep. Jacque's resolution would amend the Constitution to recognize the right to life for all people, born and unborn, in every stage of development. This amendment addresses the crux of the sanctity of human life cause--the personhood of unborn children. Status: AJR 77 is currently pending in the Assembly Committee on Homeland Security and State Affairs. A state constitutional amendment must be approved by two consecutive sessions of the state legislature before it can go to the people for a vote.

It is also important to recognize the work of pro-life champions throughout the state of Wisconsin, including volunteers at Pregnancy Care Centers, who give tirelessly of their time and resources to help mothers and their unborn and born children. Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is a good time to not only renew our commitment to the unborn but to also thank those who are working on the front lines to save lives.

Stay Tuned...
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012: Governor Scott Walker will give his "State of the State" address in the Assembly Chamber at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 26th, 2012: The Assembly is set to debate and vote on AB 426, more commonly known as the mining bill.


State Capitol - Room 15 West | Post Office Box 8952 | Madison, Wisconsin 53708
(888) 534-0083 | Rep.Craig@legis.wisconsin.gov