Dec. 12, 2017
HARRISBURG – Calling it “what the vast majority of my constituents would want me to do,” state Rep. Will Tallman (R-Adams/Cumberland) today voted in favor of
Senate Bill 3, legislation that would make significant changes to the Abortion Control Act. The bill now sits with Gov. Tom Wolf, who has said he will veto it.
“My vote represents what I confidently feel is the voice of the majority of residents in the 193rd District,” Tallman said. “Because I believe life begins at conception, it also represents the voice of the unborn child, whose life would be spared.”
Senate Bill 3 would change the upper limit for elective abortion of an unborn child from 24 weeks to 20 weeks as the result of medical technology that allows viability of the child outside the womb at that point in the gestation period. It would also prohibit dilation and evacuation (D&E) procedures where an unborn child’s death is caused by dismemberment.
“In the 2000 Stenberg vs. Carhart Supreme Court case that dealt with partial-birth abortions, Dr. LeRoy Carhart testified that a D&E can only be accomplished if the fetus reacts to facilitate the procedure,” added Tallman. “In other words, it essentially must be alive before it is to be terminated.”
Tallman says Senate Bill 3 does include provisions that would allow certain abortions when the life of the mother is threatened.
“It also clears up language to require private medical consultations to take place in person,” he said.
“I understand Gov. Wolf labels Senate Bill 3 ‘an attack on women.’ I think vetoing the legislation is an attack on children, and I hope he reconsiders his veto.”
Representative Will Tallman
193rd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
slittle@pahousegop.com
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