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Arizona Bill: Crime for Docs to Abort Based on Sex, Race

Passed Senate, now goes back to House

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 23, 2011 9:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – Arizona's Senate passed a bill that, if it becomes law, would make it a crime to abort based on the sex or race of a fetus. House Bill 2443 would make it a felony for a doctor to perform such an abortion; it was already passed by the House, but the Senate amended it to include tougher penalties. It must now go back to the House before heading to Gov. Jan Brewer's desk, the Arizona Republic reports.

Republicans claim that statistics show sex-selective abortions are increasing and that abortion clinics intentionally set up shop in minority neighborhoods; Democrats disagree: One state senator calls the bill "one of the most offensive, odious pieces of legislation I have ever seen." A Republican state senator explains that women should support the measure because it protects them, adding that "it's a way to pre-empt what's happening in China and India." Click for another proposed Arizona abortion bill that could shutter the University of Arizona's OB-GYN program.

An anti-abortion Arizona woman prays in front of the Supreme Court building September 5, 2005 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 61 comments

Griffmaster_01

Mar 23, 2011 10:05 PM CDT

Oh look another cowardly GOP bill trying to chip away at the rights of women. If their party had any balls they would try what they really want - outlaw abortion. Then they would fail and maybe we could finally stop arguing about this religioun-based nonsense.

1681931

Mar 23, 2011 4:17 PM CDT

Ok, so of course women should have free abortion for many good reasons,rape for starters, health dangers and many more, but wrong sex? what next, wrong coloured eyes? hook it out toss it in the bin? sick

Spudsy

Mar 23, 2011 3:37 PM CDT

More nanny state GOP madness. They want to be in the examining room with you only up to billing time. Then you are on your own. Just like the newborn baby. Feed yourself, beggar. Asswads.

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Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (Source Grid »)

US • Health • Politics

abortion • Arizona • sex-selective abortion • anti-abortion laws

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Arizona Bill: Crime for Docs to Abort Based on Sex, Race

Passed Senate, now goes back to House

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

abortion • Arizona • sex-selective abortion • anti-abortion laws

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More Newser Stories

Arizona Bans Funding to Planned Parenthood

Jan Brewer cuts off abortion providers from state money

Virginia Backpedals as Abortion Debate Blows Up

Bob McDonnell waffles on signing; media piles on

Almost Half of Abortions Are 'Unsafe': WHO

Globally, 49% are performed without clinical help

Hide Babies' Sex to Stop Immigrant Abortions: Doc

Delay disclosure until 30 weeks to halt sex-selective abortions among immigrants

Woman Sues to Block Idaho's 'Fetal Pain' Law

She's believed to be first in country to challenge such laws

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