Mr. Speaker, this bill is not about one’s views on regulating abortion or a women’s right to choose. This bill is about the value we place on the freedom of conscience. This bill is a test of all of us in this chamber. Do we nurture and celebrate people who follow their conscience? Or, do we burden and undermine conscience? And not just any issue of conscience is at stake.
This bill would force Americans to violate conscience on the most
profound moral issue imaginable. This bill would force Americans to assist in
taking what they believe to be innocent human life. Since the Quakers in
colonial America were jailed for refusing to serve in colonial militias, our
nation has affirmed the right of conscience. Their refusal to take life changed
colonial laws and in every armed conflict since, Americans have been exempted
for conscience sake. Our laws have responded to protect conscience, again and
again.
- Within weeks of Roe v Wade in 1973, every state and the federal gov’t enacted exemptions so doctors would not be forced to take human life.
- Our state’s physician-assisted suicide laws, exempt physicians from being coerced to take human life.
- Our state corrections employees are excused from participating in state executions.
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