Colorado Senate News
February 13, 2007
A pro-life measure by a Republican senator was rejected by the Democrat majority in a committee hearing that lasted into Monday evening.
Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley, was the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 143. The bill, which was shot down on a 4-3 party-line tally in the Judiciary Committee, would have banned abortions in all cases except for those pregnancies that endanger the mother's life.
“I’m here to protect life and honor life,” said Renfroe to committee members during his introduction of the proposal. “I have compassion for women and the choices they’ve made. But I’ve made a choice to bring this bill forward because I value life, and I want to protect life.”
Testifying in favor of Renfroe’s measure was Jo Scott, director of Pro Life Colorado.
“We feel that every life is important,” she said, “and abortion is the wrong way to go.”
Jo Scott is a 28-year veteran of working with abortion clinics. She cited the numerous health complications that can follow an abortion.
“I’ve put my whole life into this issue, and abortion destroys young women in our country,” Jo Scott explained. “There’s a risk of breast cancer, depression, infertility and psychiatric problems with women who go this route.”
Those opposing Renfroe’s measure argued that it was the Legislature’s way to say women should not have control over their own bodies.
Dr. Amy Fairbanks testified that medically it was healthier for a woman to have an abortion than go through an entire unwanted pregnancy.
Lolita Hanks, a mother of three children and member of Colorado Right to Life, suggested that politics played a part in not telling the entire story when it comes to a mother’s safety.
"Feminism has done a great disservice by not discussing with women the emotional and physical harm of this issue,” said Hanks, who is also a nurse pratitioner. “Abortion is always wrong, and I see women everyday who are devastated by this choice.”
