Amid passionate debate, some Florida Democrats supported Republicans as bills passed ranging from parental notification for abortion, to mothers viewing their child by ultrasound, and late-term abortion bans.
For background, read Tea Party Christians Dominate Florida, Target Abortion and also read Pro-life Legislation Floods America
UPDATE 8/1/11: Scott ceremonially signs four anti-abortion bills at governor’s mansion
UPDATE 6/24/11: Governor continues signing more bills
UPDATE 6/3/11: Gov. Rick Scott begins signing bills
-- From "House passes six abortion bills" by Dara Kam, Palm Beach Post 4/27/11
The chamber spent nearly five hours debating the measures that will require women to have an ultrasound before getting an abortion, make it more difficult for minor girls to get a judicial bypass for the procedure without parents’ consent, impose strict regulations on abortion clinics and ban some private insurers from providing abortion coverage.
“For many people this is a moral issue, this is a life and death issue,” said Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, former executive director of the Florida Christian Coalition.
Republicans admitted the bills are aimed at reducing the number of abortions in Florida.
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From "Abortion limits stir conflict among Democrats" by Janet Zink, Miami Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau 4/27/11
. . . an argument between two Democrats created the most drama, with papers flying and a pen angrily tossed into a waste basket. The fireworks broke out when Rep. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami, quoted the Bible and said she planned to break ranks.
“Thou shall not kill,” Campbell told her colleagues before a vote on HB 1247, the parental notification bill. It passed 82-35.
“This is not a bill for Republicans or Democrats because it’s a Republican bill,” Campbell said during discussion of HJR 1179, which proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit public funding of abortions. “This is Bible principles.”
Rep. Scott Randolph, a Democrat from Orlando who has been one of the most vocal opponents of the GOP abortion bills, was so upset with Campbell for siding with Republicans that he told her he’d get an opponent to unseat her in two years.
Campbell’s retort: “You have no right. God put me here.”
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From "Florida House Passes Mandatory Ultrasound, Other Pro-Life Bills" by Kevin Derby, Sunshine State News 4/28/11
The ultrasound measure, similar to the one that passed the Legislature last year but was vetoed by then-Gov. Charlie Crist, passed 81-37.
Legislators debated the measure, which was introduced by Rep. Elizabeth Porter, R-Lake City, for more than an hour and a half, clashing on medicine, the necessity of the legislation and over who would pay for the ultrasound.
“This is the only opportunity for the child to provide input,” insisted Rep. Mike Weinstein, R-Jacksonville, who pointed to the importance of ultrasounds in making mothers feel connected to their unborn children.
Democrats fired back, questioning the need for the bill when the economy continued to struggle and the budget remained incomplete.
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