Senate Vote On Teen Abortion Bill Expected Next Week
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Abortion returns to the Senate calendar next
week, with lawmakers expected to debate a bill making it a crime to
help a pregnant teen-ager avoid parental involvement requirements
by going to another state for an abortion.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Spencer Abraham, R-Mich., would
make it a federal misdemeanor for anyone besides the girl's parent
or legal guardian to take her for an abortion in a state without
similar requirements.
Supporters say parental involvement laws in more than 30 states
are too often circumvented, sometimes with tragic results when a
parent isn't around and complications arise. Others have said it
also would help protect girls from older men who take them to other
states for an abortion to hide evidence of illegal sexual activity.
Opponents contend the measure would force vulnerable teens to
end unwanted pregnancies without the aid, support and comfort of an
adult. Further, they say it would unfairly expose relatives and
other adults who offer help to fines and a year in jail.
Supporters say they have the votes to pass the bill, which
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., has described as
"must-pass legislation." Senate Democrats, however, are expected
to take procedural steps to stall the final vote.
Abraham, who Thursday announced that the Senate would begin
debating the bill next week, said the issue isn't about abortion,
but the rights of parents.
"Parents almost always are the best source of emotional support
and financial assistance for girls facing unplanned pregnancies,"
he said.
The House voted 276-150 in July in favor of identical
legislation.
The Clinton administration opposes the bill and has urged
lawmakers to exclude from prosecution close family members and
professionals who only provide information, counseling, referral or
medical services to the underage girl.
On a related issue, the Senate also is expected later this month
to attempt an override of President Clinton's veto of legislation
banning a certain late-term abortion procedure.
The House voted 296-132 for an override in July. But the outcome
in the Senate was too close to call, as supporters remained a few
votes short of the two-thirds majority, or 67 votes, needed for an
override in the chamber.
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