State Rep. Jim DeSana this week voted to protect the sanctity of life by opposing a misguided plan to repeal Michigan’s long-standing ban on abortion.

House Bills 4006 and 4032 would repeal the 1931 law offering Michigan’s final protection remaining against late-term abortions in the last few weeks of pregnancy. DeSana spoke on the House floor about the legislation and urged his colleagues to vote against the repeal. 

“We know, with the results of the last election, where the unborn child stands in Michigan, and I could not remain silent in the face of the repeal of this law that has stood for nearly 100 years, even through the last 49 years of Roe v. Wade,” DeSana said. “Under these bills, the unborn child will enjoy practically no safeguards under Michigan law. Whatever protections may have been left in place by Proposal 3 will be nullified.”

DeSana supported a series of amendments that would have addressed several vital health and safety concerns if the 1931 law was repealed.

The proposed amendments would have:

• Prohibited abortions requested solely based on gender or the result of a Down syndrome test.
• Prevented children younger than 16 from getting an abortion without parental consent.
• Clarified that dentists, dermatologists, podiatrists, chiropractors, ophthalmologists, midwives, doulas, massage therapists and athletic trainers do not quality as “attending health care professionals” who are allowed to perform abortions.
• Offered a clear definition for the term “extraordinary medical measures,” which is used in Proposal 3 to reference the viability of an unborn child but is currently undefined in state law.

Each of the amendments were rejected by the House’s Democrat leadership.

The House ultimately approved HBs 4006 and 4032 by a 58-50 vote. The bills now go to the Senate for further consideration.

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