Rep. Franks Targets Women's Health and Reproductive Rights with Amended Bill

(Washington, D.C.) Today, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice favorably reported out Representative Trent Franks’ (R – Ariz.) amended legislation that would impose a nationwide ban on almost all abortions 20 weeks after fertilization. 

The bill, H.R. 1797, would ban abortion even in cases where a woman is pregnant due to rape or incest, when there is a severe fetal anomaly, or when her health is at risk. In fact, the bill only permits an abortion after 20 weeks when it is necessary to save a woman’s life. This blanket restriction ignores the circumstances a real woman may face when deciding whether or not to continue a pregnancy. 

The following statement is from Judy Waxman, Vice President for Health & Reproductive Rights at the National Women’s Law Center:

“The National Women’s Law Center was strongly opposed to Rep. Franks’ original bill, which targeted the women of the District of Columbia. Now he has raised the stakes by expanding this dangerous ban to women across the country. 

“Rep. Franks’ bill is a direct attack on women’s constitutional rights. Further, a decision about a woman’s health, including when or if to end a pregnancy, should be hers to make, along with her family and her doctor. But H.R. 1797 would deny her the right to make such personal medical decisions, even in cases of rape or incest or when her health is at risk.

“The Center urges the House of Representatives to protect women’s health and oppose this dangerous legislation.”

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