Missouri, Oklahoma Legislators File Resolutions Against FOCA Abortion Bill

Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) -- State lawmakers in Missouri and Oklahoma have filed resolutions condemning the Freedom of Choice Act, a radical Congressional bill that would make unlimited abortions a national law. The federal bill would also overturn hundreds of pro-life state laws in every state across the country.

While the resolutions don't have the force of law, they are a way for state lawmakers to opine on Congressional activity.

In Missouri, Springfield Rep. Bob Dixon introduced a resolution that 110 House members have signed onto as sponsors condemning FOCA.

"The vast majority of Missourians will agree that any federal legislation that would encourage partial-birth abortion or invalidate any current state laws dealing with partial-birth abortion should never be given serious consideration," Dixon said.

"We hope to send a message to our federal delegation that we are counting on them to do the right thing," he added.

Dixon worries the bill will overturn state laws such as parental consent and health requirements for abortion businesses that protect women and have forced the closing of some unsafe abortion centers.

The FOCA bill has not yet been introduced in Congress and pro-life groups are concerned that abortion advocates will try to piecemeal the legislation or attach it to another unrelated bill to make it easier to get approved.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern filed a resolution opposing FOCA and she says the bill would be unconstitutional.

“This act is an infringement on states’ rights. Abortion is not a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution but states’ rights are guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment,” Kern says. “The Freedom of Choice Act would nullify our laws regarding abortion.”

“This act would strip away our right to debate abortion policy in the state Legislature and support a radical ideology of unregulated abortion-on-demand,” Kern told the Tulsa Beacon. “Oklahoma’s lawmakers need to let Congress know how they feel about this measure.”

House Joint Resolution 1009, if the state legislature approves it, would urge members of Congress to oppose the legislation.