Perhaps it was a loud-and-clear answer to the horrific Pennsylvania abortion doctor story now in the news, but on Wednesday the Florida House did what it has never done in recent memory -- voted unanimously, Democrat and Republican, to pass a significant abortion "reform."
Representatives passed HB 1129, requiring that medical staff provide emergency care in the event an infant is born alive after an abortion attempt, or face criminal charges.
Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, and Ray Rodrigues, R-Fort Myers, sponsored the bill.
Pigman didn't acknowledge the similarity between HB 1129 and the butchery described during the sobering trial of Dr. Kermit Gosnell, but he did comment that his bill guarantees respect and humanity to infants born alive, regardless of how they entered the world.
Gosnell ran his abortion clinic for decades, performing tens of thousands of procedures. What he's actually on trial for is his participation in the beheadings of seven children born alive and for killing one of the women who came to him for an abortion.
Though Gosnell was arrested and the FBI made its gruesome discoveries inside the clinic in 2010, the news only became a national outrage in the last seven days.
Following Wednesday's vote in the Florida House, Gov. Rick Scott -- watching the bill every step of the way through both chambers -- issued this statement:
We must stand up for the most vulnerable in our society and I am pleased the members of the Florida House understand the importance of saving the life of an injured newborn child when they are helplessly left on an operating table.
"As a father and a grandfather, there is nothing more special or more fragile than a baby who is just brought into this world. I applaud the sponsors, Representative Pigman and Representative Rodrigues, for their efforts to make sure we protect the rights of these innocent babies. I look forward to signing this bill when it reaches my desk.
The Senate version, SB 1636, passed the Committee on Judiciary on Monday and now goes to the Senate Budget Committee on Appropriations.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestate.com or at (850) 727-0859.
