John Krull commentary: Sauce for the goose …
The social conservatives who rushed and rammed through Indiana’s draconian law banning abortion have a new fight on their hands—with an interesting and formidable opponent. Themselves. A few days ago, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed its second legal challenge to the new state law outlawing abortion in almost all circumstances. This new class-action lawsuit is interesting because it uses arguments anti-abortion activists and extremists themselves have relied on to undercut their position. The ACLU contends that this new law violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that social conservatives demanded several years ago. RFRA, as it is called,…
Two lawsuits challenge Indiana’s abortion ban going into effect Thursday
Indiana’s abortion ban is set to take effect in three days. While a majority of the Indiana General Assembly voted for Senate Enrolled Act 1, and Gov. Eric Holcomb signed it into law, it’s the subject of two lawsuits refuting its legality. The first, filed by Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana Aug. 30 in the Monroe County Circuit Court, claims SEA 1 violates the right to privacy and equal privileges protections in the Indiana Constitution. The second, which the Indiana ACLU filed on behalf of Hoosier Jews for Choice on Sept. 8 in the Marion…
After Senate concurrence Friday night, Holcomb signs abortion bill into law
With a vote Friday night in the Indiana Senate, a bill banning abortion with only a few narrow exceptions cleared its final legislative hurdle. Less than an hour later, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 into law, making Indiana the first state to change its abortion laws since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. “Following the overturning of Roe, I stated clearly that I would be willing to support legislation that made progress in protecting life," Holcomb said in a statement from his office. "In my view, SEA 1 accomplishes this goal following its passage in…
John Krull commentary: Self-delusion, and self-inflicted wounds
The other day, Gov. Eric Holcomb did his best to spray perfume in and around the Hoosier outhouse. It didn’t eliminate the stench created by the Indiana General Assembly’s foolish and frantic rush to be the first state in the nation to adopt a near total ban on abortion. How could it? Our lawmakers had worked hard—very, very hard—to stink up the place. Still, Holcomb tried. He minimized the impact the ban would have on Indiana’s efforts to attract talent and treasure to the state. The governor said it would be only one of the factors both investors and workers…
Brooks, Tinder slam Attorney General Rokita for baseless claims
By Leslie Bonilla Muniz Indiana Capital Chronicle August 12, 2022 Former U.S. Congresswoman Susan Brooks and former federal judge John Tinder, in a Wall Street Journal column Wednesday, excoriated Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita (above) for his investigation of the physician who oversaw an abortion on a 10-year-old rape survivor from Ohio. Rokita first announced his office was investigating Indianapolis obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Caitlin Bernard on Fox News’ “Jesse Waters Primetime” on July 13, saying he was examining her license and implying she didn’t properly report the procedure. Though later news accounts confirmed Bernard had followed reporting requirements, Rokita said his office’s investigation…
Proposed abortion ban with narrow exceptions up for a final House vote Friday
The Indiana House Thursday repeatedly voted down amendments from Republicans and Democrats alike to Senate Bill 1, a total ban on abortion with exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother, sending the bill to a final floor vote on Friday. As in the Indiana Senate last week, among the amendments voted down was one that would remove the exceptions of rape and incest. Early during Thursday’s session, the House passed an amendment clarifying another exception to protect the physical health of the mother. Rep. Wendy McNamara, R-Evansville, sponsor of the bill, said the amendment would clarify the language…