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A thread by @dearinterwebs #moleg #SB279 #SB139 #SB345 #SB312 #TrustWomen👇
“I have been trying to think about how to explain what happened yesterday in the #Missouri Senate Health and Pensions committee. I have testified in Jefferson City three times....
“I have been trying to think about how to explain what happened yesterday in the #Missouri Senate Health and Pensions committee. I have testified in Jefferson City three times....
Twice in the Senate and once in the House. Last year I testified in the Senate, and while I was called “distasteful” by the Representative from the House who was sponsoring the anti-choice bill for saying the word “fetus”, the general tone was respectful....
Kind of weird, but respectful. [This time] was a different story.
While the Senators did not really ask questions of people/parents like me who were testifying – they mostly looked bored while we testified about our most personal, private, and heartbreaking moments....
While the Senators did not really ask questions of people/parents like me who were testifying – they mostly looked bored while we testified about our most personal, private, and heartbreaking moments....
The Senators did go after the female doctors and policy experts who testified against these bills. Two Senators repeatedly shouted about “killing babies” and that these doctors were violating their oath to do no harm. Several times I wanted to raise my hand...
...and remind them that they were talking about MY child when they spoke like that. And MY body when they said I was harmed. But that’s not how it works.
I left angry, frustrated, and discouraged....
I left angry, frustrated, and discouraged....
Four bills were discussed and all four bills were sponsored by three white men on the committee. So I knew going in it would not be a receptive crowd. I just didn’t expect it to be so rabid.
Multiple anti-choice testifiers mentioned an “army of [anti-choice] women prepared to go into battle” and referred to abortions as the American Holocaust, genocide, and one asked if they were given a gun and could go back in time and shoot Hitler – would they?
They continued to use this example AFTER a woman from @NCJW spoke out AGAINST the bills and explained how in Judaism there is a distinction made between life (which begins at birth) and potential life (which begins sometime between 0-40 after conception,...
... depending on how the Jewish Law is interpreted).
I was trying to explain how it felt different yesterday. And it dawned on me – I think these men see a path to national stardom. To be a “hero” for the anti-choice movement.
I was trying to explain how it felt different yesterday. And it dawned on me – I think these men see a path to national stardom. To be a “hero” for the anti-choice movement.
They see that the courts have changed at a state and federal level under Trump. They hear our President calling women like me murderers in his SOTU address. They see a path to victory with these types of bills that have repeatedly been deemed unconstitutional in the past.
They want to be the guy who gets Roe overturned.
I understand this is the threat we always talk about. And so many will say “that will never happen. Roe is settled law.” It reminds me of when I arrogantly said, “Trump will never be elected....
I understand this is the threat we always talk about. And so many will say “that will never happen. Roe is settled law.” It reminds me of when I arrogantly said, “Trump will never be elected....
He’s only scoring so high in the primaries because of name recognition. Americans won’t actually vote for him to be Pres.”
I regret not taking Trump seriously from day one.
It’s a MISTAKE to not take the action on the Right seriously. It’s a MISTAKE to not sound alarm bells.
I regret not taking Trump seriously from day one.
It’s a MISTAKE to not take the action on the Right seriously. It’s a MISTAKE to not sound alarm bells.
It may be that Roe itself is not overturned (but more and more I think that is possible) but these laws will continue to make it nearly impossible to get an abortion, even if Roe is upheld. The 6-week ban basically would end all abortion in Missouri,...
...between the heartbeat requirement and the timing issues imposed by the bill.
Don’t mistake these men for fools. They are strategic and they know what they are doing. They see their time for fame on a national stage and they are running hard for it.
Don’t mistake these men for fools. They are strategic and they know what they are doing. They see their time for fame on a national stage and they are running hard for it.
They will grandstand, condescend, demean, and flat out lie. They will ignore medical science. They will be dismissive of mothers and fathers who have suffered. They will not protect babies like Libby.
***They will not even protect victims of rape and incest with these bills.***
***They will not even protect victims of rape and incest with these bills.***
Call your Missouri Senators: senate.mo.gov/committee/
And #VoteThemOut when you get the chance.
Be on high alert, #Missouri. 🚨This is not a drill.🚨”
And #VoteThemOut when you get the chance.
Be on high alert, #Missouri. 🚨This is not a drill.🚨”
SB 279 – (Sen. Onder) Ban on abortion later in pregnancy
SB 139 – (Sen. Koenig) Early abortion ban – 6 weeks
SB 345 – (Sen. Koenig) Total abortion ban
one more...
SB 139 – (Sen. Koenig) Early abortion ban – 6 weeks
SB 345 – (Sen. Koenig) Total abortion ban
one more...
SB 312 – (Sen. Eigel) Creates mission of the Department of Health and Senior Services as ensuring healthy Missourians at every stage of biological development and protecting all human life from conception to natural death.
Thank you, @dearinterwebs, for sharing your story💞
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Thank you, @dearinterwebs, for sharing your story💞
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