Gov. Roemer Vetoes Anti-Abortion Bill

Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer vetoed a strict anti-abortion bill Friday, saying he could not “close my eyes and my heart and let it become law.”

The bill, which received overwhelming approval in both the Louisiana House and Senate earlier this month, would forbid all abortions except in cases of rape, incest or when a mother’s life is in danger--exceptions Roemer demanded when he vetoed a similar anti-abortion measure last summer.

But this year Roemer asked for more exceptions, particularly in cases involving fetal deformities.

“Frankly, if a bill does not have meaningful exceptions, then I can’t close my eyes. So I vetoed the bill,” Roemer said.

Roemer said the bill puts too much pressure on doctors and burdens rape victims with a requirement that they report sexual attacks within a week.

“As the bill stands now, its definitions and terminology are so vague that doctors will be unwilling to risk their liberty and professional careers by terminating any form of pregnancy at all,” he said. “And that’s the word of doctors, not me.”

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Sam Theriot (D-Abbeville), would imprison doctors who perform abortions for one to 10 years and fine them up to $100,000. Its backers hope it will be used to overturn the 1973 Supreme Court decision that established abortion rights.

Both legislative chambers passed the bill with enough votes to override a Roemer veto. He now must persuade legislators to change their minds and sustain his action. A vote was expected as early as next week.

Roemer said that up to 63% of the respondents in a recent Louisiana survey favored some semblance of abortion rights. “I think anyone who plays politics with this one will rue the day,” he said.

“Once again, the governor has sided with the abortion providers. He is clearly a pro-abortion candidate,” said Sharon Fontenot of the Louisiana chapter of the National Right to Life Committee.

Marie Ashby, president of the Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, said: “It’s going to be a very difficult struggle for all of us. There may or there may not be enough votes for an override. We’re going to spend all weekend working at this with phone banks and everything else. Our work has just begun.”