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May 10, 2019

Alabama Senate Delays Vote on Abortion Ban After Rancorous Debate
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Alabama's state senate delayed a vote Thursday on a law that would ban
virtually all abortions, after a rancorous floor debate that saw
lawmakers repeatedly shout in protest. The bill would make providing an
abortion a Class A felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison.
Alabama senate minority leader Bobby Singleton objected after Republican
leaders sought to remove amendments from the abortion ban that would
have allowed exemptions in cases of rape or incest.

State Sen. Bobby Singleton: "He didn't even make a motion, Mr.
President!"

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth: "Hold on sir…"

State Sen. Bobby Singleton: "He did not make a motion!"

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth: "He made a motion to table."

State Sen. Bobby Singleton: "He did not make a motion! There was no
motion from the other side."

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth: "He made a motion to table."

Singleton and other Democrats also protested when Republican leaders
attempted to pass amendments on a voice vote. They demanded a roll call
so that lawmakers' votes would be put on the record. This is Andrea
Miller, President of the National Institute of Reproductive Health.

Andrea Miller: "I mean the reality is what happened in the Alabama
Senate just shows how high the stakes are right now. When a state is
planning to ban all abortions outright and not only eliminate access to
abortion care for the people in their state, but in an effort to
eliminate it for everyone all across the country, because they hope
they'll be the ones to bring the case to the Supreme Court that will
overturn or severely eviscerate Roe vs. Wade."



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