Republicans and a few Democrats sent a bill to Roy Cooper’s desk that would protect the lives of babies born from botched abortions.
The despicable governor vetoed the bill, claiming that the law already protects newborn babies.
Here’s more from Bloomberg:
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a measure Thursday written by Republicans and backed by social conservatives that addresses a doctor’s responsibilities if a later-term abortion results in an infant born alive.
Cooper announced his decision two days after the General Assembly sent him a measure telling health care practitioners to grant those newborns the same protections as other patients. Those who don’t could face a felony and active prison time, along with fines and potential civil damages.
Cooper’s veto message echoed some comments of abortion-rights supporters opposed to the “born-alive” measure. They also said in committees and floor debate that the legislation was designed to intimidate women and physicians and ultimately chip away at the constitutionally-protected right to an abortion.
“Laws already protect newborn babies and this bill is an unnecessary interference between doctors and their patients,” Cooper wrote. “This needless legislation would criminalize doctors and other health care providers for a practice that simply does not exist.”
Here’s the problem. Politicians like Cooper who want women to have the right to kill their unborn babies don’t believe that a baby is actually ‘born alive’ from a botched abortion. They just see it as part of the abortion process and therefore refuse to extend protections to that child.
Bloomberg continues, noting that it’s not certain that Republicans can override this veto:
It’s unclear if Republicans holding House and Senate majorities can override Cooper’s veto — his first since Democrats made enough seat gains in November to eliminate the GOP’s veto-proof control.
Two Senate Democrats and four House Democrats joined all Republicans in voting for the measure earlier this week. Bill supporters likely would need another few House Democrats to join them to complete an override of the veto.
“This bill really transcends the traditional Republican-Democrat divide,” said Republican Senate leader Phil Berger, who expected an override vote in his chamber. He described opposition to the bill as support for “ending a child’s life after that child has been born.”
The idea of abortion is completely reprehensible, especially when it involves leaving a baby born-alive from an abortion on a table to die. It’s barbaric and this vote alone should mean Cooper’s defeat in 2020.
I’ll leave this with you:
Today @NC_Governor vetoed a bill that would give people like @claireculwell necessary medical treatment. These babies deserve a chance at life, and he is denying them that! pic.twitter.com/2cvkawHEyQ
— Susan B. Anthony List (@SBAList) April 18, 2019