Rebekah Warren proposes changes to anti-abortion bill to ensure men aren't coerced into vasectomies
State Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, made waves in the Michigan Senate on Wednesday when she offered up multiple amendments to so-called anti-abortion legislation.
"If women have to be screened to see if they are being coerced into having an abortion, I offered the amendment to have men be screened to ensure they are not being coerced into having a vasectomy," Warren said of her defeated proposal.
Her colleagues also voted down a separate amendment she offered requiring rectal exams before men could get a prescription of Viagra or other medication for erectile dysfunction.
Rebekah Warren
"Which is a shameless, backdoor attempt to shut down reproductive health care clinics in this state and make it impossible for women to access safe and legal care," she said.
The legislation in question is House Bill 5711, the same abortion bill that spurred the censure of female Democrats in the state House earlier this year and a performance of the "Vagina Monologues" at the state Capitol in June.
After a 27-10 vote in favor of the bill in the Senate on Wednesday, it heads back to the House for concurrence with minor changes made, including a date change on when clinics would have to have been in existence to receive a potential waiver from any requirements.
Warren's amendment that physicians must ensure men are not being coerced into getting a vasectomy failed in a 14-24 vote. It picked up support from two female Republican senators, but otherwise was soundly rejected by the mostly male, Republican-controlled chamber.
Republicans are supporting passage of HB 5711 as an effort to better regulate abortion clinics and protect expectant mothers from being forced to have an abortion. The controversial legislation attracted national media attention when it passed 70-39 in the House back in June.
The bill adds new restrictions and regulations for abortion practices in Michigan, addressing the disposal of fetal remains, prohibiting the use of teleconferences to prescribe abortion medication and making it a crime to coerce a woman into having an abortion.
Republicans call the measures commonsense reforms that are long overdue. Democrats fear they would institute an onerous and bureaucratic licensing and regulatory process, while enacting expensive new fees that could shut down many clinics.
"It's not about finding solutions to real problems," Warren said.
"They dress it up as something to do with protecting women and providing safer medical care, but they won't extend the same requirements to any other health care clinic or surgical center. They won't subject men to the same requirements as women as they seek health care."
Warren said if women are denied access to telemedicine — even though 21 of Michigan's 83 counties do not have a single OBGYN — and must undergo a physical exam before obtaining the medical abortion pill, then men should be denied access to telemedicine and be required to undergo a physical exam before obtaining erectile disfunction medication.
State Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, sounded off on other legislation working its way through the Legislature, saying Michigan Republicans are "continuing their parade of horribles."
He said one bill provides "conscience exemptions for health care providers so that doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others can refuse to serve patients based on bigotry." And other legislation mandating that all insurance plans offer abortion coverage only as a separate opt-in, he said, is anti-woman, flies in the face of reason and attempts to inject religious principles into statute.
State Rep. Rick Olson, R-York Township, said he'll probably stick to how he voted back in June and support sending HB 5711 to the governor's desk, along with the other bills Irwin mentioned.
Olson acknowledged he's not tracking the legislation closely, and he said he didn't feel entirely comfortable with the conscience exemptions bill, but he'd probably vote for it anyway.
"My guess is these are bills that are being pushed by Right to Life and these are ways at nibbling away at the availability (of abortion services in Michigan), to get right down to it," he said. "That's my take on it, but these are ones I haven't gotten deep in the weeds on myself."
Sen. Joe Hune, R-Hamburg Township, whose district includes a portion of Washtenaw County after redistricting, could not be reached for comment. Ari Adler, a spokesman for House Speaker Jase Bolger, also could not be reached for comment.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
bamwow
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 2:11 p.m.
Where is the support for single parents or impoverished families who bring an unwanted pregnancy to term? The majority of people who are against abortion seem to be against federal & state subsidies to help them feed and care for their families. How is a person supposed to get ahead when other people get to determine major life choices for them?
harry b
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 6:01 p.m.
I waited over 2.5 years to adopt a child from Michigan. That was 12 years ago. The waiting list is even longer. You do understand people actually sell there babies. They arrange an adoptive parent and the adopting parents pay up to $20,000 for "expenses". Yes this is legal in Michigan. There are no babies in Michigan waiting to be adopted. There is a HUGE waiting list.
Mick52
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 2:37 a.m.
My personal feeling is that abortion is an extreme form of murder. I know however that it is legal and probably will always be. What concerns me though is that in regard to civil liberties there are some doors that should be nailed shut and never opened. Abortion attacks life in the very early stages. For a while we debated and dealt with "assisted suicide" and euthanasia. Now the door is cracked open and while many think its just fine, who knows how wide that door will be open in 100 or 200 years because our generation opened it. I guess folks that think it is okay don't worry about whether or not there is a God. That is a decision I would not want to explain.
Bogie
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 11:37 p.m.
Uh. I had a "consultation" appointment with my doctor, before the actual vasectomy appointment. That makes me mad! There's a WAR ON MEN! Who's waging it? I'm going to vote for an awful economy, and a government, that will control my healthcare!!! I'm going to pay almost 4 bucks a gallon for gas! I'm going to pay HUGE taxes, so lazy people never have to work again and go to the emergency room for a headache! I'm not stupid! I have a formal education!
Nicholas Urfe
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 3:04 p.m.
Vasectomy is surgery. Abortion is often a pill. It isn't about your male rights being suppressed. But you knew that, and chose to post your comment anyway.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 11:08 p.m.
Does the Michigan GOP's "war on women" make any exception for cases of Legitimate Rape?
Atticus F.
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 8:44 p.m.
2 wrongs don't make a right. Also, there are alot of men who support a womans right to choose. This effort seems a little like an attitude of 'men vs. women' as it relates to women reproductive rights... Or an attititude of 'THEY did that to us, so now WE are going to do this to them'.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:58 p.m.
How long until the Michigan GOP tries to force a bill that declares The Pill is a form of abortion and must be prohibited? Extremists tried to get that passed in Mississippi. Fortunately it was on the ballot, giving voters a choice, and those voters rejected it.
trespass
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:49 p.m.
Warren is right about the legislation but this amounts to sarcasm on the floor of the Senate. It just makes the political discourse more and more coarse. Talk seriously about the shortcomings of the bill and you will be taken seriously. Talk nonsense and you will not be taken seriously. You will just get your 5 minutes in the political spotlight. What does screening to see if the woman has been coerced mean, anyway? The real impact will be determined when the angencies write the regualations. If it amounts to a few questions asked by the doctor, it has little impact but if they have to do some type of investigation it becomes dilitory and intended to obstruct.
Mick52
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 2:13 a.m.
I agree with Trespass that her behavior here is immature and does not belong on the floor of the Senate. Sometimes you are in the majority, sometimes in the minority. I expect my reps to do the best they can with what they have, not act like a nuisance.
harry b
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 6:16 p.m.
Besides the death of the child, the worst part of an abortion is what the woman has to deal with the rest of her life. Depression and suicide are real problem with women having abortions. For the health and safety of the woman, abortions should be a very last option and rarely if ever used..
harry b
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:46 p.m.
Killing a baby vs. a procedure that can be reversed is so desired is not a good comparison. I know she is doing this to shed light on a bill she disagrees with but the comparison is stupid.
mun
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.
To all the pro-fetus posters, what if a woman gets pregnant from rape?
mun
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:44 p.m.
In other words, Tim Hornton wants government small enough to fit in a woman's uterus.
Tim Hornton
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:21 p.m.
Also if a rapist knew the penalty for rape it probably wouldn't happen so much to women but with our liberal laws now a CSC conviction seems to get pled down and a rapist only does a couple years in prison. Now the victim wins with justice, the innocent baby gets to keep it's life and we get rid of a dangerous sex offender.
Tim Hornton
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.
Kill the rapist. Let the innocent baby live. Easy answer. Lots of people would adopt a new born baby in a heart beat if the mom didn't want it and we'd have one less raper on the streets. Obamacare could pay for the medical bills.
DeeDee
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.
Glad we have Ms. Warren doing SOMETHING to try to defend women from the GOP war on our rights, our health and our bodies. Hope that there is a rider making it possible for employers to deny men access to treatment for erectile dysfunction AND PROSTATE CANCER if it is against their "moral views." I am disgusted with Snyder and his pandering to these right wing nut jobs at the expense of womens' lives and health. He has a young daughter, but i guess he figures he can afford to take her out of state to get health care if need be. Plenty of poor women in MI will not have that option.
talker
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 3:09 a.m.
To those who assert that a woman who has an abortion (even after rape) will be suicidal are dealing with biased comments, not with fact.
talker
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 3:02 a.m.
The victim may be a girl of 13 or so who was abused by an acquaintance, family friend, relative, etc. Girls and women can become severely injured and can even die during pregnancy or delivery.. To make a woman of any age who was tortured by the rapist have to go through nine months of pregnancy and delivery and risk her life is punishment no girl or women should have to endure. A young, married woman I know, who delivered a wanted baby last year, went through 24 hours of labor before having a Caesarean Section because the head of the full term baby couldn't progress through the woman's anatomy. This young woman had excellent care and a C-Section by a professional in one of the best obstetric programs in the country. Without such care, that young woman would have died. That professional care required the skills of multiple professionals. I hope that those who care about girls and woman agree that every woman and girl deserves such expensive care. One of many issues is that too many women die. Rape is sinister, traumatic, and hurtful enough. No woman or girl should be forced to risk her life or her mental and physical health. I know a
UncleMao
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:56 p.m.
My only complaint is that I wish they'd give me the Viagra about 30 minutes before the rectal exam.
subzero288
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:56 p.m.
Live by the golden rule and everyone will be happy.
arborani
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:29 p.m.
Good luck with that.
golfer
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.
once again it comes down to pro choice or pro life. once again i am sorry but this does not belong in the government. either in Washington or Michigan. it is a person PERSONAL belief. it should be up to the person to go one way or the other. it does not need to government to get involved. they have enough to do. like run government. once again it comes down to dems vs reps. stay the heck of of this area.
talker
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 2:47 a.m.
Banning any interference with implantation or putting restrictions on early abortion would take away religious freedom from those whose religions state that life begins at later stages than actual conception. There are also differences among how religions value the life and health of the mother versus the fetus.
Classof2014
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 9:28 p.m.
You are so right! Could not have said it better myself
harry b
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 6:20 p.m.
The question is does life begin at conception. If you agree that is does abortion is murder. Our civilized society has laws against murder. Did you know suicide is against the law also. Should this be a personal desicion? I along with most biologist beleive life begins at conception.
Tim Hornton
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.
Rebekah Warren appears like a really "smart" person. I'm sure as a former fetus (or unborn baby in her mother's tummy) she was glad she was not aborted and her remains thrown in a garbage.
mun
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.
I realize that MI Repubs. want to be like Indiana but even the Hoosier state voted against the pro-fetus senate candidate Richard Mourdock.
B
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 2:26 p.m.
Hmmm
thankfulmom132
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 2:02 p.m.
When babies begin growing in a male testicle, rectum, or penis Sen. Warren may have a thoughtful argument, but until then her amendments make no logical sense. I am thankful we have a legislation that respects and honors women enough to keep them safe if they choose to have an abortion. I am thankful we have a legislation that cares enough to have these aborted babies not just thrown out in the trash heap. The babies are already being legally murdered, the very least we can do as a civilized society, is to help keep the mothers safe.
dotdash
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:55 p.m.
CT: We are in the semantic weeds, aren't we?
CT
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.
Dotdash, Newborns also can not live on their own.
dotdash
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:39 p.m.
We are not talking about babies. We are talking about potential life. Which is the same as what is growing in a male testicle. It cannot live on its own. End of story.
B
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.
Very true and to the point.
dsponini
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 2:22 p.m.
Legally murdered? please....
DennisP
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:17 p.m.
Let's get down to brass tacks. These laws serve one purpose and one purpose only. To stall a woman's decision to have an abortion. Any so-called medical health purpose is a canard. A legal fiction intended to justify a result within the confines of judicial case law. Just as it is a legal fiction to declare a living human fetus not a living human being so as to achieve a result permitting homicide of that fetus. To one court of unelected justices the end justified the means in 1973. So too, today, the end justifies the means to the minds of this elected body. That's how laws work. As for Ms. Warren's attempt at mockery regarding this very serious topic, as a male, I would go through any of those hoops gladly if I knew it would slow or end the slaughter of innocents. As a male, I go through the actions of being a responsible husband, father and lover. I take conception and life seriously and couldn't care less if I had to have a doctor look up my rear to receive some medication. So go for it, Rebekah. I'll even let you look up my rear if that makes you happy.
DennisP
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.
Talker, the principal affect of the most common "pill" is to prevent ovulation. See: http://contraception.about.com/od/thepill/qt/How-The-Pill-Works.htm While implantation is affected, the biggest protection comes from prevention of ovulation--no egg released, no conception. In addition, condoms, abstinence, etc are all forms of "birth control" as it applies before conception.
talker
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 2:40 a.m.
For those who don't understand how different forms of contraception work, I'll explain that the most popular forms of birth control used today would be banned by some. The "pill" and IUD's accomplish birth control by preventing implantation, whether or not the sperm and egg have come together. I think that's what another poster meant by the only type of birth control he supports.
DennisP
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.
I do support birth control as it applies before conception. I don't support wars or acts of war. I totally oppose war and killing in the name of "national interests" such as oil industries. I oppose the death penalty because it doesn't end crime and fosters government sanctioned inhumanity. I'm neither tea partier nor democrat. I believe in liberty, the express rights in the constitution, the right to be left alone from government but the obligation to support human life which I hold in the highest regard. We've come to a new crossroads where there are supposedly intellectual debates within the circles of some in academia who seriously argue that there is an ethical justification for the assassination of infants--those already born--to serve the needs of those who are alive. These infants are not considered as human because they don't have fully developed brains and cognition. We have come to a very grievous and dangerous point in our civilization.
mermaid72
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.
Dennis, if you really want to stop the "slaughter of innocents", support Planned Parenthood and birth control. If there were more men & women who used birth control, there would be less need for abortion.
B
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 2:31 p.m.
I was about to write a longer comment, but yours summed it up. Thanks. I see another elected politician taking an action which can only be seen as an attempt to get herself more publicity and not offer any solutions to the serious problems being addressed. The test of this would be that even if her lopsided amendment had been passed, no impact whatsoever, no change, no public good. Just a waste of paper and time.
Silly Sally
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 1:16 p.m.
Good reply, but .."as a male..."? A male bird? How about "Man" I assume that you are over 18 and are not a boy. "Male is an adjective, not a noun.
dotdash
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 1:12 p.m.
Well, at least you are willing to put your rear on the line for your beliefs.... If you want to end the slaughter of innocents, ask congress and the President to end our foreign wars.
Carole
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 11:50 a.m.
Please -- I do believe that men and women can make up their own minds as to what they wish to do with their bodies. Move on to something that is mighty important like bringing businesses back to Michigan so our citizens have some real choices like being able to find a job.
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 11:13 a.m.
As usual, ineffective political theater from Warren.
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 8:43 p.m.
I've contributed to Ms. Warren's campaigns both for the House and for the Michigan Senate. She's simply been ineffective during her time in Lansing, more interested at times in her husband's political agenda than the voters of her district and has accomplished very little during her time in office. When there's a need for an I'm Outraged video clip, she's got that covered. I don't expect anything different from her for the remainder of her term. This 'outrage' is nice but she should save some of it for Democrats who supported Rick Snyder's campaign for Governor, either with their silence or with their money, because they bragged he was a 'different' kind of politician. I'm sure she knows a few of them.
demistify
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 6:33 p.m.
When run over by a steamroller, it may be better to laugh than cry.
alan
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:03 a.m.
I was coerced into my vasectomy by the birth of my two kids. If not for them.
Roadman
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:34 a.m.
The article refers to the "Vagina Monologues". State Representative Lisa Brown, a Democrat from Birmingham, made the widely publicized statement. This was political grandstanding as she was running a tight race against an incumbent Oakland County Clerk for his position. The monologue earned her plenty of free media coverage. Becky Warren is doing the same thing here. Pure political grandstanding and accomplishing nothing.
bobslowson
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:54 p.m.
For the record her name is Rebekah, and the President is not "Barry". The disrespect amongst conservatives goes against their very "religious" values....I don't get it?
talker
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:16 a.m.
Here's advice for men and women who believe in contraception (including those who are pro-choice). Don't patronize any medical facility that has obstacles to full reproductive health care for women. Don't give them your health care dollars for any other medical care, even if it has nothing to do with reproduction.
Badge
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:04 a.m.
I agree with Senator Warren that no-one should approach my family jewels with a sharp implement. Why do the male Republicans want a scalpel to my satchel.
anonymous hippopotamus
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 2:22 a.m.
I really surprised to see that some of these comments have not been deleted. Yet when make a post supporting products made in the US in a previous article, it gets deleted. I've read the the commenting guidelines, i don't see whats wrong with my post. The mods here make no sense.
aataxpayer
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 1:36 a.m.
Men dictating morality for women. That is the problem with the problem with the Taliban and the Michigan GOP.
Atticus F.
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 9:08 p.m.
kmgeb2000, Most insurance doesn't pay for Viagra. Also, it's none of your business if a doctor and patient decide viagra is something that they should be taking... Just as it's nobodies business if a doctor and patient decide abortion is the right option. I realize you are angry about the GOP taking your rights, but that doesn't justify you taking away somebody elses rights.
kmgeb2000
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 1:54 p.m.
Exactly! However, when a woman looks to impose similar barriers to Viagra, then she becomes queen of the harpies. Besides, I thought every sperm was sacred. You would think they would be supporting her on reducing the number of "snip, snips". They are basically preemptive abortions . Regarding Viagra, is Viagra medically necessary? NO! Why should my insurance pay for Viagra? Not getting it up, is not life threatening in any way and serves only one purpose with many bad side effects. Watch any pro football game; those pills are half the commercials and half the commercial is an explanation of the side effects. Birth control pills on the other hand, serve numerous beneficial medical functions for women. And . . . when the woman's happy the man's happy. At least from this man's perspective.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 1:20 a.m.
I'm surprised they didn't give Senator Warren a "time out".
Alden
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 1:11 a.m.
I am so proud that Rebekah Warren is my State Senator. Thank you Senator Warren!
snapshot
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:14 a.m.
But she is failing you.
Basic Bob
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:12 a.m.
She isn't my senator, but soon she will be thanks to midterm redistricting. I am happy that Richardville is no longer my Senator, as his extremist agenda does nothing to represent this constituent. However Warren is no less extreme. Thank goodness I don't plan on getting a vasectomy or abortion.
towncryer
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:35 a.m.
Rebekah "Look at Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" Warren. Poor man's Jennifer Granholm.
towncryer
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:44 p.m.
I think she is grandstanding in the hopes of being recognized for the national stage like Granholm ala the DNC
Veracity
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:29 a.m.
In what way?
a2citizen
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:22 a.m.
"... voted down a separate amendment she offered requiring rectal exams ..." "..."Which is a shameless, backdoor attempt ..." Can't get any more backdoor than a rectal exam.
arborani
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.
*Literally* an LOL.
Dog Guy
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:14 a.m.
What next? Will these Republican fanatics enforce the Hippocratic Oath?
Veracity
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:27 a.m.
Angry Moderate is correct about the English Translations, versions 1 and 2. However, as the Wikipedia article on the Hippocratic oath states: "In a 1989 survey of 126 US medical schools, only three reported usage of the original oath, while thirty-three used the Declaration of Geneva, sixty-seven used a modified Hippocratic oath, four used the Oath of Maimonides, one used a covenant, eight used another oath, one used an unknown oath, and two did not use any kind of oath. Seven medical schools did not reply to the survey. In France, it is common for new medical graduates to sign a written oath.[6][7]" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath
Angry Moderate
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:47 a.m.
The Hippocratic Oath prohibited abortion.
Michigan Man
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:12 a.m.
Has this woman lost her mind?
B
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 2:38 p.m.
She is not crazy, just a politician.
grimmk
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:39 a.m.
Why is it that men always say (BEEP) about women when they stand up for themselves? That doesn't make us crazy or overly emotional. But it does threaten men so they try to downplay it as hysterics. My body is MINE. Keep your rules, regulations, and religion off of it. Your believes have no baring on me. If you don't like abortions then don't have one!
sh1
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:39 a.m.
Do you understand satire?
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:17 a.m.
Actually, she is concerned about losing control of her body to religious extremists.
Ricardo Queso
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.
Pure grandstanding and nothing more. This hasn't been a good week for the dem's.
mun
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:01 p.m.
This hasn't been a good week for the dem's." Yeah, on top of Romney kicking Obama's butt on 11/6/2012...
Veracity
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:11 a.m.
No, you are wrong, Ricardo: This hasn't been a good week for all Michigan citizens.
Westfringe
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:23 a.m.
Nope, but it will be a good rest of the century. Have fun with your hate-filled, greedy legislators while they last.
Tom Todd
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:10 a.m.
Hill-billy deluxe welcome to Michiganissippi
snapshot
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:12 a.m.
True hilbilly.......12 kids and no abortions.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:07 a.m.
EyeHeart: Mention Obama's birth certificate to him. That never gets repeated. Ever.
st.julian
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:10 a.m.
The issue now becomes whether the Governor will join the Conservatives war on women's rights health, and equal rights. the conservatives complain about eliminating government overreach, this is only womens rights overreach it is having conservatives tell us not convincing us how to live our lives.
E Claire
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 8:43 p.m.
What does an abortion have to do with health? Woman have been having babies since the beginning of time; this is not a health issue. And its not solely a women's issue. Men should have a say in what happens to their children. Sure they can't get pregnant but that's life. Unless raped, women have all the choice in the world when it comes to being responsible about birth control.
Veracity
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:09 a.m.
The Governor is a true conservative right-to-lifer and will sign the bill with great pride.
snapshot
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:09 a.m.
I vote Republican because I opposed to the imbalance of the special interest influence of publkic unions but I'm pro choice and certainly oppose the recent medical legislation...but as long as Democrats insist on selling their votes to such a small, but obviously over powerful unions, I will continue to vote Republican. Sorry ladies.
snapshot
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 6:25 a.m.
Westfringe, tell me what the unions are doing about thos evil oil companies. And you think the 5 day work week will dissapear because of RTW? Bluemarker, so you think industry will start chaing children to their lathes again? You need to stop holding on to the past and move forward. That's the problem with unions, they stifle innovation and productivity, not to mention accountability. We have labor laws now and unions have outlived their usefulness to everyone, except unions.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 11:51 p.m.
Goodness knows that you aren't the first man to consider women's rights to be not really all that important. In this case, women's rights don't even rise above a petty hatred of unions.
Blue Marker
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:19 p.m.
@Westfringe, I love those who reap the benefits of protest made by working men and women but still complain. It's as if they have no idea how workers got their rights to begin with. I'm sure they think it was just big industry giving out of the kindness of their hearts.
Westfringe
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:22 a.m.
Sure snapshot, like big oil. Some of the most profitable companies in the world, yet we give them subsidies. We pay them to extract our natural resources sometimes at great cost to the environment so they can ship 90% of the crude out of the US. Guess what the GOP did when we tried to remove those subsidies? Unions are not without their faults but they are working for the people. We have the 5 day work week, 8 hr day, paid vacation, and workplace safety because of the unions. RTW brings lower wages and less benefits for EVERYONE not just unionized workers.
snapshot
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:18 a.m.
I guess some folks just don't get it. Too bad the house and senate are full of republicans. You want it to change? change your attitude.
snapshot
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:11 a.m.
Westfringe, Multi national corporations make there own money and are responsible for their own success. Unions consider them evil and try to suck the business life out of them like they did with the auto industry. Hey Dancing, your uterus is in the hands of Democrats who refuse to be fiscally responsible by continuing to give unions everything they ask for, and more. Tell Rebecca, who has received most of her campaign contributions from unions.
dancinginmysoul
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:57 a.m.
I'm glad to know your opinion on Union's affects my uterus.
Westfringe
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:21 a.m.
Yeah they're so much worse than the multi-national corporations that the GOP is bought by... DERP!
snapshot
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:14 a.m.
typo's...."small portion (17%) of the work force, but powerful......" should also read "I am opposed to" and of course "public"
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:09 a.m.
While I agree with Warren on this issue, her silly grandstanding only encourages the Republicans. Better to fight these new laws in court.
MIke48162
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.
Yes it is agitating and offers only sound bytes and plays to the media and stirs up the 'base' and keeps the conversation going. Hhmmm.... Wonder where Warren came upon this idea?
Veracity
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:08 a.m.
Macabre Sunset - Unfortunately, you are correct. With the present composition of the State Legislature and our Governor anti-abortion laws, just like anti-union, anti-school, and anti-middle class taxation laws, can not be prevented. Hopefully, these onerous and unjustified anti-abortion laws will succumb to court decisions. However, the Michigan Supreme Court is still "owned" by the Republicans.
talker
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:29 a.m.
It's better to try to avoid putting onerous laws into effect than have to live with such laws while mounting a legal challenge. Waiting for legal relief would come at the expense and suffering of many Michigan girls and women, including a young teenager raped and impregnated by an older man. Carrying a fetus and then being forced to give birth, often by C-Section for young women, could be a death sentence for a young woman. When an uneducated, uncaring Congressman in Illinois insisted that there are no deaths in pregnancy or labor, the professional organization of obstetricians and gynecologists put out a statement about the hundreds of women who die from childbirth each year.
Ann Wisniewski
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 2:07 a.m.
I think she is certainly making a point quite effectively showing these mostly male hypocrites how dumb they look when they try to make laws.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:05 a.m.
We can just start calling our state Michissippi. Isn't it nice that we have a bunch of old white men looking out for women in this lame duck session? I just hope none of those ladies used the word "vagina" in session. The mention of lady parts tends to make the old men very uncomfortable.
mun
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 8:08 p.m.
Except Mississippi voted against the "personhood amendment."
arborani
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.
I guess those who can, do, and those who (no longer) can, legislate against it.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:15 a.m.
I take exception when they restrict the rights of others. Especially when it is at the behest of organizations that give them large sums of money to do so.
Ryan J. Stanton
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:55 p.m.
Here's the press release the Michigan Senate Dems just put out on this. It includes additional comments from Rebekah Warren and Gretchen Whitmer: http://www.senatedems.com/news/article/republicans-continue-practice-of-silencing-women-attack-michigan-senators-right-to-speak-and-women-s-right-to-choose
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:54 a.m.
My parental controls have www.senatedems.com blocked. It says it's not suitable for adults.
Ryan J. Stanton
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:58 p.m.
Jezebel is chiming in, too. http://jezebel.com/5967939/michigan-senate-passes-gigantic-monster-of-an-anti+abortion-bill
Roadman
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:54 p.m.
This is the type of nonsense you come to expect from the political dynasty she is from. Becky is the wife of "Pay-up Conan" Smith, the daughter-in-law of former State Senator Alma Wheeler Smith, and is also related by marriage to the late ex-mayor Al Wheeler and Judge Nancy Francis. "A heritage cannot be transmitted. It must be conquered." - Andre Malraux.
arborani
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:03 p.m.
Alas, dotdash, how many snarkers here do you think know who Jonathan Swift was, let alone what he wrote?
dotdash
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:16 p.m.
USRepublic: I didn't hear any vitriol. I heard her deploy the tactics at her disposal to point out the ridiculous position of her opponents. Think Jonathan Swift and you'll get it.
USRepublic
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 4:51 a.m.
I knew Dr. Al Wheeler.... I shared laboratory space with Dr. Wheeler when he achieved Emeritus status from the University of Michigan.... He was a kind, considerate, enlightened individual.... He would be ashamed of of what EW and her husband are spewing in the name of politics... Totally ashamed. Her rhetoric and vitriol was not his cause.....nor was it his nature.... Shame on you EW.....
talker
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:24 a.m.
Are you trying to deflect readers from the real issue? As those of us over 50 recall, we need to go back to the call to "Keep your laws off our bodies."
dotdash
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:49 p.m.
Three cheers! I hope those colleagues were suitably abashed by their own hypocrisy.
dsponini
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 6:16 p.m.
They won't be....Extreme republicans (IE: tea party) have no shame and apparently don't know the meaning of the word hypocrite...
javajolt1
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:46 p.m.
Say whaaaaat? Is this a joke?
Roadman
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:42 p.m.
Joe Hune of Hamburg Township was the third youngest State House representative ever elected in Michigan at age 22 in 2002. He is ardently pro-life and one of the most conservative members of the Michigan Senate. He currently chairs the Senate Insurance Committee and also served as chairman of the committee for reapportionment that redrew congressional district lines. Washtenaw County is proud to have such a pro-life advocate serving his constituency.
bobslowson
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.
Joe Hune is a tool and his days are numbered.
Roadman
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 9:07 p.m.
@mun: You are correct, however, redistricting placed Hune's district partially within Washtenaw County.
mun
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.
http://co.livingston.mi.us/municipalities.htm
mun
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 8:04 p.m.
Hamburg Township is in Livingston County, not Washtenaw.
Roadman
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 6:31 p.m.
@Mermaid72: The unborn have moral rights against being killed. Right to Life is equally represented by females who also care about the unborn.
mermaid72
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 1:41 p.m.
Mr. Roadman, you do not speak for all of Washtenaw County. I really do not understand why men believe that women's abortion rights are any of their business, perhaps you can "illuminate" us?
grimmk
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:33 a.m.
No I'm not. I'm ashamed of our state. I love Michigan. But right now I feel like we've slipped back 50 years. And that is nothing to be proud of. But hey, I guess you don't have to worry. You're a white male with all the privileges in the world. But when woman ask for the same it's "special rights" and therefore out of our reach.
Veracity
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:58 a.m.
I hope you are being sarcastic and not just another right-wing religious ideologue.
Unusual Suspect
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:39 p.m.
At least Dingel has old age as an excuse for his irrational thought processes. I wonder what her excuse is.
E Claire
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 8:34 p.m.
A woman can do whatever she likes with her body. It the killing of another human being that's a problem. If a pregnant woman is murdered, the murderer is charged with killing both her and her baby. Why is it then ok for the mother to kill the baby? The person who cuts your hair has to have a license, why shouldn't an abortion clinic? And why is having to answer a few questions such an issue? Have you ever donated blood? There's a whole series of questions to answer; I've never seen someone get up a walk away due to this even though many deal with prior sexual experiences and drug use.
Meg
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:59 a.m.
How exactly do you think taxpayers are paying for abortion in Michigan? I was just trying to set your mind at ease, but clearly it's missing some major sections.
Meg
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:39 a.m.
JBK: You're not paying for anything. Medicaid doesn't cover abortion in Michigan.
northside
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:06 a.m.
So a man who puts forth a bill placing restrictions on what women can do with their bodies is sane and deserving of your vote. But when the tables are turned the woman is "irrational." Got it.
treetowncartel
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:36 p.m.
Are they passing any legislation to help babies and their families once they are born?
E Claire
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 8:21 p.m.
Thank you Joe Hood. But you are wasting your time with this crowd. They won't acknowledge these organizations exist, especially since most are run by us evil Christians.
Joe Hood
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 1:12 p.m.
Like adoption, free diapers, free cribs, and other things to help raise the kid? That's already out there for free, provided by a caring community that wants to help, no legislation required. Look no further than Arbor Vitae (http://www.annarborvitae.com/). Please, lots of people who can't have kids would love to adopt! Even people with kids would like to adopt!
grimmk
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:31 a.m.
Of course not! That would be helping the freeloaders! They think they are entitled to it and no way Jose! They don't care about the babies AFTER they are born. They just want them born and then left out in the cold to fend for themselves. Same goes with the mother. It's disgusting.
USRepublic
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:31 p.m.
Childish.... This is what we have representing us? Talk about an excuse for term limits.....
sayzme
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
@ E Claire...it seems the only ignorance here is the extremists that have hijacked Lansing and are now forcing their morality on us.
E Claire
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
Childish and ignorant. To equate killing a baby to actually taking the steps to not create an unwanted one in the first place. How about we focus on creating jobs and educating our children
Ghost of Tom Joad
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
that's exactly her point about what the Republicans have been proposing.
northside
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:27 p.m.
I've never been more proud to have her represent us! Her amendment is a fitting and hilarious counter to the insane bill passed in Lansing. Wasn't it just yesterday that the GOP was saying they favored choice? Guess that just applies to people getting union benefits but not paying union dues, not to women having control of their bodies.
RUKiddingMe
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
I have a problem paying trillions for the war...
Homeland Conspiracy
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:59 a.m.
I luv the argument "that the taxpayer should not have to pay for this" Yet they have no problem paying TRILLIONS of tax dollars on war
Veracity
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:55 a.m.
JBK - If it were just about money there are many other procedures that could be handled the same way. This is a religious crusade.
JBK
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 12:13 a.m.
No one cares what a woman does to her body. The GOP is just making sure that they jump through hoops because quite frankly, the taxpayer should not have to pay for this. that is all this is about...........
Topher
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.
It's like The Handmaid's Tale in real life!
David Cahill
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:21 p.m.
Congrats to Sen. Warren for exposing the Republican legislators for the fools they are.
dsponini
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 : 1:58 p.m.
Calling them fools is being too nice
Bogie
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 11:30 p.m.
The only foolishness, I see in this country, is citizens, who think one political party is fools, and the other, as a defender of rights. Dave, you play right into their game.
harry b
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 5:49 p.m.
Trying to save the life of unborn children does not constitute a fool. It constitutes a hero.
Angry Moderate
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:17 p.m.
A vasectomy can be reversed. An abortion cannot.
subzero288
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.
Whether or not yours is even a valid argument (since the sperm that could not be released during the term of this hpothetical man's vasectomy were killed and 'wasted' according to the religious zealout) is not really relevant. The issue is . . who are you, me or anyone to make that decision for someone else? You don't believe in abortion - great! - then don't have one. But the idea that, in 2012, independent and educated Americans are forced to abide by some ignorant home-schooled moron's idea of morality, which he got from an ancient book written by desert nomads claiming to have received telepathic instructions from a ghost in space, is simply absurd. Live by the golden rule and everyone will be happy.
talker
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 : 3:36 a.m.
Actually, I was born two years after my mom had a miscarriage, also known as a spontaneous abortion. After losing the fetus, she went to the hospital to be "cleaned out" as she put it. Would some doctors and nurses refuse such treatment today? That was my mom's second pregancy and she was only going to have 2 children. When people count abortions and say a certain number of babies weren't born, they are forgetting to add back in those of us who came after that abortion or miscarriage.
dotdash
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 : 11:51 p.m.
Same deal. If you reverse your vasectomy, you can have *other* babies with *other* sperm, but you can't have back those babies that would come from the sperm that were shut off from ejaculation. Those sperm are long dead. Just like if you have an abortion, you can still have other babies from other pregnancies. Same-same.