Louisiana representatives advance bill to classify abortion as homicide

Louisiana lawmakers are advancing a bill that would give constitutional rights to "all unborn children from the moment of fertilization" and classify abortion as homicide in the state.  

The state House Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday voted 7-2 to advance the "Abolition of Abortion in Louisiana Act" to a vote in the House.

The Louisiana legislation comes after the Supreme Court appeared poised to strike down Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 abortion precedent, following a leak of a majority opinion draft.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Danny McCormick (R-Oil City), celebrated the committee's move as a "HUGE VICTORY" in a Facebook post.

His legislation would amend state homicide statutes to classify abortion from the moment of fertilization as murder. The bill does not mention any exceptions, such as rape or incest.

When asked whether the bill would allow for exceptions if medical professionals deem the pregnancy to threaten the mother's life, Rep. McCormick told Just the News that "[c]urrent law protects that and my bill does not change that law."

"This is the FIRST time a bill to END ABORTION, without compromise, has made it this far in the legislative process," he wrote, adding, "Please continue covering this mission in prayer! We are going after [S]atan’s crown jewel, to protect the lives of the innocent, and that is no light duty."

Abortion activists say that women would be subject to prosecution under the proposed law.

Pro-choice attorney Ellie Schilling told The Associated Press, "This is saying that people can be charged with murder for any act that they take against their own pregnancy."

Rep. Tony Bacala (R-Prairieville) said he would vote for the bill even though he thinks it would be struck down by the courts if it becomes law.

"While I intend to vote for this bill, I would suggest that there may be better options that can actually go into practice instead of concepts that I feel like are probably going to be struck down," he explained.

This article has been updated to include McCormick’s comments.