TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (WSVN) - The bill battle in Florida’s capital for not one but several controversial bills continues with the focus on an anti-abortion measure expected to move to the Senate soon.
It’s a last-ditch effort to stop an abortion ban that many believe is inevitable.
Protestors marched to the capital and prepared to fill the House gallery.
Members of the Florida House drew on their own experiences as they debated House Bill 5.
“Like many victims, I was raped by someone I know, who wouldn’t listen when I said no,” said State Rep. Kristen Aston Arrington (D), Osceola.
“I had a choice, and I selfishly had the choice to have an abortion,” said State Rep. Dana Trabulsy (R), Fort Pierce.
“My wife had fibroids, they said abort our children, and we said that’s not gonna happen,” said State Rep Webster Barnaby (R), Volusia.
House Bill 5 would ban the majority of abortions after 15 weeks and is set to be debated on the House floor Wednesday night.
“I remember when women were mangled and butchered, desperate to find a way to end a pregnancy,” said State Rep. Joseph Geller (D), Dania Beach. “Can’t go back to that.”
“This issue is about standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves,” said State Rep. Kayle Tuck (R), Sebring. “I would ask all of you to support this bill.”
Democrat Robin Bartleman of Weston told of learning of a fetal abnormality during her pregnancy and how the timing took her past the 15 week mark.
“So when you get that terrible, heartbreaking news, you don’t have a choice because the state of Florida has taken it away from you,” said Bartleman.
Every amendment offered by House Democrats Tuesday was defeated.
Republican Trabulsy had a different perspective, regretting her choice.
“I didn’t want a baby, so I had an abortion, and it’s something I regretted everyday since,” said Trabulsy.
“Fifteen weeks gives Florida it’s best opportunity to save a significant number of babies very quickly after the court’s decision,” said State Rep. Erin Grall (R), Vero Beach.
“Representative, are there any medical groups that you know of that support this type of legislation?” asked State Rep. Kristen Arrington (D), Kississmee.
“I didn’t seek the support of any medical groups for this legislation,” said Grall.
The 15-week ban is similar to a Mississippi law that is now before the U.S. Supreme Court.
“This abortion ban isn’t going unnoticed, um, people are upset, people’s lives are going to be hurt irrevocably,” said Miami-Dade Regional Organizer Jessica Merino.
The bill as currently written has three exceptions:
- Two doctors must certify in writing that the procedure is necessary to save the mother’s life.
- One doctor can certify that necessity in writing if another doctor is not available.
- Two doctors certify that the fetus isn’t viable or has a fatal abnormality.
At least one Republican has hope that the exception of rape and incest, which was defeated in the House version, might still be added.
The full Senate has yet to take up the bill.
“I think that needs to be included. I think, you know, that those are circumstances beyond a woman’s control, and she should be able to have those guard rails in place for those types of instances,” said Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez (R), Doral.
“With rape and incest, is 15 weeks enough? I think that we are going to continue to hear a debate from this body on that, and we will reach a conclusion,” said Sen. Manny Diaz Jr. (R), Hialeah Gardens.
“I’ve expressed my concerns to my colleagues, and I’ve told them that it’s an important guard rail to put in place for that type of legislation,” said Rodriguez.
“I think they make the argument that if they think 15 weeks is acceptable now, they will continue to make the argument that six weeks is acceptable later,” said Miami-Dade Regional Organizer and Planned Parenthood Rep. Jessica Merino. “They will make the argument that abortion isn’t acceptable, after that.”
Rodriguez has said it is very clear that she is still in favor of the bill, that 15 weeks is a good measurement when it comes to having a ban on abortions, but when it comes to the exceptions, she will have to wait and see if it is included in the Senate version.
The House has currently been in debate for the past four hours and at midnight the session will end. After, the House will vote.
If the bill is passed, which it’s expected to, the bill will then go to the Florida Senate.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.