Senate Democrats Block Parental Consent Bill for Minors' Abortions
The Senate's passage of the Child Custody Protection Act seemed like a decisive victory for parents' rights, but Senate Democrats are working to block the bill from reaching President Bush's desk. Despite overwhelming public support for parental consent laws, Democrats argue that the bill would harm young girls by forcing them to undergo "back alley" abortions or endure emotional distress. However, this argument is based on a flawed assumption that grandparents or clergy members can take the place of parents in a child's life. The bill's real purpose is to ensure that parents have a say in their child's decision to have an abortion, a right that is essential to a parent's responsibility.
Key Takeaways:
- The Senate passed the Child Custody Protection Act 65-34, but Senate Democrats are working to block it from reaching President Bush's desk.
- Public support for parental consent laws exceeds 80 percent, but Senate Democrats argue that the bill would harm young girls.
- The bill would prohibit non-parental adults from transporting minors across state lines to have an abortion.
- Senate Democrats argue that grandparents or clergy members can take the place of parents in a child's life, but this assumption is flawed.
- The bill's real purpose is to ensure that parents have a say in their child's decision to have an abortion.
- President Bush has expressed support for the bill, which would help to prevent minors from being exploited by sexual predators.
- The abortion lobby is opposing the bill, despite the fact that it would help to protect young girls from exploitation.
Statistics:
- The Senate passed the Child Custody Protection Act 65-34.
- Public support for parental consent laws exceeds 80 percent.
- The bill would prohibit non-parental adults from transporting minors across state lines to have an abortion.
- Since 1998, the House has passed similar bills four times, but both chambers have failed to pass the legislation.
Sources:
- (Source not explicitly stated in the original text)