A study that could potentially result in expanded abortion services inArkansasis getting a strong stamp of disapproval from a legislator who authored two pro-life bills last session.
Sen . Jason Rapert (R – Bigelow) is speaking out against Planned Parenthood’s recent announcement of a newly merged regional office and study that could lead to more abortions inArkansas.
“This is unacceptable and must be stopped,” Rapert said. “Not only is this opening the door to taking the lives of more innocent babies, but it also setting the stage for an even lower standard of care for women seeking abortions.”
According to the State Department of Health’s most recent statistics, 4,580 abortions were performed inArkansasin 2008. In the last legislative session, Rapert authored a bill that called for higher safety standards to be enforced on abortion clinics, and another that would have led to a decrease in abortions. If passed, his Human Heartbeat Protection Act SB843 would have protected the lives ofArkansasbabies starting with their first detectable heartbeat.
Both lifesaving bills were shot down in the Arkansas House of Representatives Public Health Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Linda Tyler (D – Conway).
“There were several legislative efforts to curb abortion inArkansas, but the bills all died in that committee,” Rapert said. “That’s disturbing, especially when considering Planned Parenthood’s recent news of possibly expanding abortion services. Decisions by some of our legislators seem to be tiltingArkansasto become an abortion-friendly state, and that does not accurately reflect the values of Arkansans. Someone has to take a stand for unborn babies and women. I value the life of every human being.”
Rapert has not backed down from that battle. He is planning to introduce a bill on personhood for interim study. “The idea of personhood attacks a hole in the Roe v. Wade case that was identified by Justice Harry Blackmon.”
Justice Harry Blackmun wrote in the majority opinion for Roe v. Wade in 1973, “The appellee and certain amici [pro-lifers] argue that the fetus is a ‘person’ within the language and meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment. In support of this, they outline at length and in detail the well-known facts of fetal development. If this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant’s case, of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the Amendment.”
“If an unborn baby can be considered a person, then the game changes,” Rapert said. “Our unborn babies will be saved. We do everything we can to save the life of someone as long as they have a heartbeat. Why do we not understand the simplicity of the fact that when a baby has a heartbeat it deserves to live?”
Rapert said he will not stop the fight against abortion. “Over 50 million little babies have been aborted in our nation alone since 1973. This is a national disgrace. Our state and our nation is based upon the rule of law, and our laws must be changed to value human life once again. I askArkansasvoters to send genuine Pro-Life elected officials to help us in the legislature.”
“InArkansas, we believe in the sanctity of life,” Rapert said. “It’s time our leadership takes a stand and reflects those values to put an end to these atrocities.”
About Jason: Sen. Jason Rapert represents the 18th District of Arkansas in the State Senate. He is a resident of Bigelow, AR and President of Rapert & Pillow Financial in Conway, AR.
