‘At least I’ve tried.’ Lawmaker pushes abortion bill bound for legal trouble

Once again, lawmakers are set to debate a number of proposed changes to the state’s rules on abortion. The sponsor of one bill, however, seems to already know what fate his bill will find.

The bill, filed by Rep. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) as HB 671, seeks to declare that life starts at fertilization, not conception. It would also give every developing fetus rights to due process, which would severely limit a mother’s access to abortion.

If passed, a mother would need to obtain a judicial order before the state would allow an abortion. Moon said that, in general, his bill would require that the mother’s interest be weighed against that of the developing fetus.

Moon said he does not have a exact legal procedure in mind, but that someone should speak on behalf of the unborn child.

“There are a variety of avenues that this could go,” Moon said. “I think someone could speak for the child.”

Critics of the bill say that it is unconstitutional on its face, and that it is a waste of lawmakers’ time.

“I think it’s really unfortunate that this is the tone and tenor we are starting with in this session,” said Rep. Cora Faith Walker (D-Ferguson.) “Especially when I think there are so many other pressing and important issues.”

Walker, who was a member of the Children and Families Commission last year, said recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court would reject Moon’s bill. She added that taxpayers would be the ones who pay for the legal battle, if it’s passed.

“To spend taxpayer money to try to pass a bill that will only be struck down by the court seems really shortsighted,” Walker said.

To that point, Moon said aborting would-be taxpaying citizens has already cost the state. “Look at all the money that we have flushed down the toilet literally, because we murdered our offspring,” Moon said.

Moon said he expects pushback, both from lawmakers in the Capitol as well as state and federal judges. Still, he said he is determined to do what his constituents want.

“The people who elected me want me to continue pushing it. So if they want me to do it, I’m going to continue,” Moon said.

Moon will reach his term limits after the 2020 session. He has filed similar legislation in previous sessions, and said he is determined to continue until he is out of office.

“I think as a result of me pushing for this, I haven’t gotten a lot done. I have answers for my creator,” Moon said. “If someone else is stopping me, and that’s been allowed, at least I’ve tried.”