Anti-Choice Lawmakers Seek to Undermine Roe v. Wade with Deceptive "Unborn Victims of Violence Act"
NARAL Wisconsin and Wisconsin’s pro-choice majority today call on our nation’s Senators to oppose S.1019, the “Unborn Victims of Violence Act,” a measure permitting the prosecution of an additional and independent crime if an embryo or fetus is harmed during the commission of a federal crime. However, this measure is a blatant attempt to assign personhood to embryos and fetuses. “Anti-choice lawmakers have long desired to recognize embryos and fetuses as persons under law, appreciating that this is powerful means to undermine abortion rights,” states Deborah Lukovich, NARAL Wisconsin’s Executive Director.
This measure’s anti-choice sponsors claimed during debate in 1999 and 2001 that this measure is simply a moderate crime bill without ramifications for reproductive rights. However, when pressed, these sponsors conceded that their chief purpose is to recognize the existence of a separate person where none currently exists in law.
This legislation does not seek to diminish violent crime against women. In fact, protections for women are notably absent from this legislation, laying bare the sponsors’ agenda. NARAL Wisconsin joins pro-choice America in demanding our lawmakers seek real solutions to the pervasive problem of violent crime against women. However, adds Deborah Lukovich, “All women are wronged when lawmakers deceptively portray a measure crafted to undermine abortion rights as a measure about violence against women.”
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