One Last Chance to Defeat UVVA!

HB 2062, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (UVVA), has been approved the by the Kansas House of Representatives. It is now on its way to Governor Kathleen Sebelius' desk for final approval. But, you have one last chance to help defeat this anti-woman bill.

I strongly urge you to contact Governor Sebelius and encourage her to VETO HB 2062. She can reached at her office, 785-296-3232 or you can call toll free at 1-877-579-6757. You can also send her a message by clicking here.

HB 2062 is a bad bill for many reasons. Here are a few things you can tell the Governor:

The Kansas legislature has a responsibility to punish those whose violent actions interfere with a woman's fundamental right to have a child. Existing Motherhood Protection laws (K.S.A. 21-3440 and K.S.A. 21-3441) recognize the particularly heinous nature of crimes against pregnant women by providing separate criminal charges for those who interrupt a pregnancy in the commission of a crime. HB 2062 actually strikes Motherhood Protection Laws.

HB 2062 will have unintended consequences for pregnant women. In South Carolina, a similar law has been used approximately 3 times against actual perpetrators since its inception in 1984. It has been used over 70 times, however, to prosecute women who suffered stillbirths. A similar trend has appeared in other states as well, even though the laws specifically exempt pregnant women just as HB 2062 does.

HB 2062 does nothing to address violence against pregnant women, but functions solely by defining fetuses as people in the Kansas criminal code. Motherhood Protection Laws, on the other hand, keep the focus where it should be - on the victims of these horrible crimes.
UVVA is intentionally vague and overbroad. Motherhood Protection Laws have a specific goal: to punish those who intentionally harm pregnant women. By repealing these acts, it would ignore the harm that is directly done to a pregnant woman and her right to have a baby.

HB 2062 is controversial because for the first time ever, it would define fetuses, from the moment of conception, as full people in Kansas law.

Motherhood Protection Laws address violence against pregnant women without dragging abortion into the debate.

Please ask the Governor to VETO HB 2062. Ask her NOT to repeal existing Motherhood Protection Laws K.S.A. 21-3440 and K.S.A. 21-3441.

Commentary from the peanut gallery...

The right wing, basking in the ecstasy of a Supreme Court boondoggle, had a few choice nuggets for the world. This is just a sampling of the fortune cookie wisdom coming from the anti-choicers:

Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue: "The court has now said it's OK to ban procedures. We can do more than just put hurdles in front of women seeking abortions - we can put roadblocks in front of them." (Associated Press, 4/19/07)

Roberta Combs, president of the Christian Coalition of America: "It is just a matter of time before the infamous Roe v. Wade...will also be struck down by the court." (USA Today, 4/19/07)

Leslee Unruh, an anti-choice activist in South Dakota who helped lead the abortion ban in that state: "I'm ecstatic.... It's like someone gave me $1 million and told me, 'Leslee, go shopping.' That's how I feel." (Los Angeles Times, 4/19/07)

Senator Sam Brownback, Republican Presidential Candidate: "I applaud the Court for finding that the Constitution 'expresses respect for the dignity of human life,' and hope that this decision signals the Court's willingness to revisit and reverse Roe v. Wade." (Press release, Brownback for President 4/18/07)

Urgent Legislative Alert!

House Bill 2062, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (UVVA), is coming up for a final vote very soon. This is a piece of anti-woman legislation will even effect women who want to have their babies.

HB 2062 will have unintended consequences for pregnant women. In South Carolina, a similar law has been used only three times against an actual perpetrator since its inception in 1984. It has been used over 70 times, however, to prosecute women who were carrying their babies to term. A similar trend has appeared in other states as well, even though the laws specifically exempt pregnant women just as HB 2062 does.

HB 2062 does nothing to address violence against pregnant women, but functions
solely by defining fetuses as people under the Kansas criminal code. Homicide is the number one cause of death amongst pregnant women. Until violence against women is addressed; pregnant women will continue to be murdered.

HB 2062 is controversial because, for the first time ever, it would define fetuses, from the moment of conception, as full people under Kansas law.

Please help us stop this bill today. Please contact the representatives below and ask them to vote "NO" on HB 2062.

Robert Grant
620-457-8496
grant@house.state.ks.us

Shirley Palmer
620-223-4105
palmers@house.state.ks.us

Dennis McKinney
620-723-2129
mckinney@house.state.ks.us

Joshua Svaty
785-472-7794
svaty@house.state.ks.us

Tom Burroughs
913-375-1956
burroughs@house.state.ks.us

Stan Frownfelter
913-262-9659
frownfelter@house.state.ks.us

Steve Lukert
785-284-3623
lukert@house.state.ks.us

Eber Phelps
785-625-5947
phelps@house.state.ks.us

Vincent Wetta
620-326-5205
wetta@house.state.ks.us

Nile Dillmore
316-264-2988
dillmore@house.state.ks.us

Oletha Faust-Goudeau
316-652-9067
faustgoudeau@house.state.ks.us

Raj Goyle
316-681-8133
goyle@house.state.ks.us

Ann Mah
785-266-9434
mah@house.state.ks.us

Melody McCray-Miller
316-744-7516
Millerm@house.state.ks.us

Terry McLachlan
316-619-7879
mclachlan@house.state.ks.us

Cindy Neighbor
913-268-9061
neighbor@house.state.ks.us

Michael Peterson
913-371-7354
peterson@house.state.ks.us

Tom Sawyer
316-265-7076
sawyer@house.state.ks.us

Mark Treaster
620-459-6363
treaster@house.state.ks.us

Ed Trimmer
620-221-7146
trimmer@house.state.ks.us

Jim Ward
316-683-3609
ward@house.state.ks.us