Radical Abortion Legislation Introduced in New Jersey
Pro-life leaders are protesting a radical abortion bill introduced in the New Jersey legislature that would allow abortion for any reason through all nine months of pregnancy, repeal all existing restrictions on abortion and force taxpayers to fully fund the procedure.
The bill “specifies that a fertilized egg, embryo or fetus may not be understood to have independent rights under any of the laws of this State.”
In part, it was Timothy Plan founder Art Ally’s pro-life commitment that led him in 1992 to start helping churches provide biblically sound retirement resources for pastors. Today, Ally’s commitment has expanded beyond the pulpit and to help Americans make God-honoring investments that support life—at all stages.
“Infanticide is the ultimate evil,” Ally said. “This bill should be called the ‘Freedom to Kill Act.’ Nothing is more horrific than the death of an innocent unborn child who is voiceless, helpless and whose plan from the Lord is birth and life. We will be held accountable if we don’t help stop the killing of our most precious ones.”
The “Reproductive Freedom Act” would also repeal New Jersey’s ban on partial birth abortions and its “Parental Notification for Abortion Act,” which requires minor girls to inform parents prior to having an abortion.
“This cuts parents out of a situation in which their daughter is scared, desperate and needs guidance from people who love her instead of those making a living out of ending life,” Ally said.
Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, is supporting this legislation. When the bill was introduced in October, Murphy stated:
As access to health care and the right to choose are under attack at the federal level, we will support, defend and protect reproductive rights here in New Jersey. ‘The Reproductive Freedom Act’ will remove barriers to reproductive health, as well as expand access to contraception while reaffirming choice. Together, we stand unwavering in our commitment to work towards reproductive freedom for all New Jerseyans.
The summary states that the bill “specifies that it is to be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.” The bill attempts, in effect, to remove the rights of New Jersey citizens and their future lawmakers to make changes to the legislation or declare it void in any way or at any time in the future.
The bill states that if any provision is ever ruled unconstitutional, “the remaining provisions of the bill, and the application of the provision at issue to all other persons or circumstances, will not be affected thereby.”
The measure would eliminate existing regulations requiring that only licensed physicians may perform abortions and that abortions be performed in a licensed hospital after 14 weeks of pregnancy. {eoa}
