Republican State Senator Kyle Walker supports “balanced approach” on abortion policy
Walker opposes first trimester ban, supports exceptions in certain cases
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Walker
The Indiana General Assembly is scheduled to meet for a Special Session beginning Monday, July 25 to consider Gov. Eric Holcomb’s proposal to provide inflation relief and to address abortion policy following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24.
“I have given this a significant amount of thought and I’ve listened to women and parents of all ages about their views on the issue. Their stories, some heartbreaking, have helped shape my position,” said State Senator Kyle Walker, who represents Fishers and part of Lawrence. “With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, I believe we must strike a balance for pregnant women to make their own health decisions in the first trimester of pregnancy and also provide protections for an unborn baby as it progresses toward viability outside the womb, while making exceptions for rape, incest, health of the mother and cases of fatal fetal anomaly.”
Current Indiana law allows for abortion up to 20 weeks postfertilization. Walker says he supports reducing the time period to 12 to 15 weeks, around the first trimester.
Providing further background for his position, Walker explained, “In the past several weeks I’ve had mothers and fathers share their heart-wrenching stories with me and I firmly believe we should not force a mother to carry a baby to term that her doctor knows won’t live outside the womb. In some cases, an early delivery is the only way the parents are able to spend a few minutes with their baby while he or she is still alive.”
Regarding other proposals, Walker says he supports increasing funding and resources for women during pregnancy and after the birth of their child, as well as expanding the Safe Haven Baby Box program and increasing the adoption tax credit. He also supports expanding access to birth control, including emergency contraception.
However, Walker says he opposes requiring rape or incest victims to file a police report, which he believes further victimizes the woman. He also opposes criminal penalties for health professionals and mothers.
“This is one of the most defining votes I’ll cast, and I wanted to share my position with constituents in advance,” Walker said.
Background
Indiana’s current law already includes informed consent requirements, parental consent requirements for pregnant minors, regulation of drug induced abortions, a ban on partial birth abortion procedures, a ban of abortions undertaken due to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, a diagnosis of Down syndrome or other disability, a prohibition of the use of taxpayer funds for abortion except for emergencies, and criminal penalties for those who coerce a woman to have an abortion.
Democratic State Senator J.D. Ford reacts to proposed abortion legislation
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On Wednesday, Republican Senators outlined their abortion legislation plans and which committee it will be assigned to. State Senator J.D. Ford (D-Indianapolis) offered the following statement:
Ford
“The legislation the supermajority offered today is extreme and way out of step with Hoosiers. The legislation offers the bare minimum exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother. Unfortunately, it strictly regulates a woman’s right to choose and doesn’t include expectations for the health of the mother. I will strongly oppose this legislation. The right to privacy is one of the most important in a free society and I trust women to make this deeply personal decision, not the Government.”
State Sen. Ford represents Indiana Senate District 29, which encompasses Boone County’s Eagle Township, Hamilton County’s Clay Township, and Marion County’s Pike and Wayne townships. For more information on Sen. Ford’s legislative agenda or other State Senate business, call 1-800-382-9467 or visit indianasenatedemocrats.org/s29.