Florida House debating LIVE whether women must have an ultrasound before having an abortion

[flpoljunkie]

http://streams.leg.state.fl.us/stations/MBR/UNI/stream2.asx

April 30, 2010
Abortion up in House; Cretul asks pages to leave

The debate in the House has begun on whether to require most women to receive and pay for an ultrasound before having an abortion. As the questions began getting into the details of various procedures, Speaker Larry Cretul asked that the pages be excused from the chamber: "We are getting into some questions you might be sensitive to."
Posted by Lee Logan at 08:43:

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2010/04/abortion-up-in-house-cretul-asks-pages-to-leave.html

[hobbit709]

1. Can we demand a brain scan of the legislators

Just to see if there is any neuron activity.

[flpoljunkie]

4. Guess this the Republican party's 'less government' philosophy in action.

:sarcasm:

[Dr.Phool]

14. No neuron activity there. However, there's a shitload of moron activity.

[katmondoo]

2. I have my Florida licence plate that says CHOICE

but they don't know it, it's in Polish

[flpoljunkie]

6. Awesome!

[flpoljunkie]

7. Would this doctor lie to us and say an ultrasound is required before performing an abortion?

He wouldn't lie to us, would he?

I am ashamed to be a Floridian. A woman just said the woman having the abortion can refuse to see the ultrasound. Right. And, who's going to pay for this ultrasound?

[tanyev]

3. Let me guess....most of the people having this debate are men?

[flpoljunkie]

5. Yes, altho there was one Hispanic woman speaking in favor and exaggerating number of those who've

contacted her expressing support for requiring this procedure before an abortion. I have no doubt she was exaggerating the numbers.

[flpoljunkie]

13. And, it's all done under the disingenuous guise of 'protecting' women-keeping them safe.

A Republican woman just repeated this 'protecting' meme.

[flpoljunkie]

8. Got distracted. So, can a woman opt out of having an ultrasound or not. What's going on here?

[newfie11]

9. So how many women are there to support this?

I briefly watched and all I saw are a bunch of men. Go figure ASSHOLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[flpoljunkie]

10. There are Republican women both supporting and opposing this bill. Don't know the numbers though.

[flpoljunkie]

11. Sentinel blog: House debating what could produce one of the toughest anti-abortion bills in the US

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House began the final day of the session by delving into a fight that could produce one of the toughest anti-abortion bills in the country, a debate over requiring women to pay for ultrasounds that has reducing the Legislature’s work-pace to a crawl.

Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando, began the questioning by trying to pepper House Republicans — the women selected by the GOP to handle the issue — with questions about the costs of the requirement that a first-trimester vaginal ultrasound be performed, as well as whether Medicaid would cover the costs.

Rep. Rachel Burgin, R-Brandon, a freshman and one of the youngest members of the House at 27-years-old, began fielding the questions — but then House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, ordered the 13-year-old to 14-year-old legislative pages to leave the chamber, for fear of hearing the “sensitive” discussion.

After the move, Randolph dropped the line of interrogation, “since I’m not going to get an answer anyway.”

Other Democrats tried to press for answers on how the ultrasound costs might vary from rural to urban regions of the state.

“We are mandating a cost on someone,” said Rep. Richard Steinberg, D-Miami Beach. “I want to know, what is the cost of the procedure we are mandating on a woman who exercises her right to choose what to do with her body?”

The measure is also drawing some passionate debate from a few Republicans, including Rep. Ed Homan, a Tampa-area Republican and doctor, who challenged GOP backers about whether a woman getting an abortion had ever been denied the chance to view an ultrasound.

House Rules Chairman Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, said he expected the measure to have broad support by the end of questioning and debate today. “There are many in this chamber who are very interested in that policy.”

The House is likely to spend hours on the bill, thanks to House Democrats’ decision to slow down the show yesterday. More on that here.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2010/04/randolph-gets-sensitive-over-abortion-details.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+news%2Fpolitics%2Fpoliticalpulse+%28Central+Florida+Political+Pulse%29

[flpoljunkie]

12. Bear in mind these 'small government' Republican yahoos run our great state!

[flpoljunkie]

15. It's not a mandate to require an ultrasound if abortion's an elective procedure?

Yes, it is the same thing as the federal government mandating we buy health insurance.

Rep. Yolly Roberson, a black woman and a nurse, is asking the Republicans these very pertinent questions. She asked who will pay for this procedure for those who are uninsured in Florida?

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4283

She is terrific!

These Republicans want to come between you and your doctor. Is this what you call 'less government,' Republicans?

[Jennicut]

16. They will make the women who want the abortion pay for it.

As typical of Rethugs.

[flpoljunkie]

17. They sure as hell are!

[Hepburn]

18. Assholes...

...how about we stick a probe up their assholes looking for brain matter?

[flpoljunkie]

19. Rep. Roberson says again this is an unfunded mandate and abortion decision should stay between woman

and her doctor and her partner.

Republicans are such 'limited government' hypocrites!

She's grea!

[LiberalFighter]

25. They are against unfunded mandates when it is about the federal govt

But they are for unfunded mandates when it pertains to their issues.

[KingFlorez]

20. "Stand down if you don't have ovaries"

That's what one Representative (Janet Long) just said.

[flpoljunkie]

21. Yes! Let's be honest here. This amendment is not to protect women, but to discourage abortion.

Republicans are hypocrites. They do not really mean it when they say they want 'small government' and government to stay out of our business. If this is not major intrusion to someone's freedom to obtain a lawful procedure, I don't know what is.

[flpoljunkie]

23. Rep. Kriseman says exactly this and this amendment is being offered to repeal to the Republican base

Exactly right!

[Puzzler]

22. All the pols in the house are doctors, right?

(sarcasm)

[political_Dem]

24. Here we go again. Men deciding for women when it has to do with reproduction.

Maybe it's time for women to decide for men to forcibly get a castration without anesthetic. If women did so, this anti-abortion talk would stop in a heartbeat.

[Hepburn]

26. Abortion would be a sacrament if men could get pregnant. n/t

[LiberalFighter]

27. Are there any other surgical procedures that the government mandates how they must be performed?

And for the pages being excused from the chamber during debate. If they think the subject is that sensitive then they shouldn't be discussing it!! And should not be legislating it.

[flpoljunkie]

28. There are no laws which require an ultrasound before any other medical procedure.

Don't you get it? This is to 'PROTECT WOMEN!' And, certainly not to discourage women from having a perfectly legal medical procedure!

If this passes, we will be in the proud company of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, Floridians!

These yahoos running our state must be voted out of office! We deserve better than this!

[flpoljunkie]

29. A Republican Dr. whose against this bill as an 'intrusion of government into practice of medicine.'

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4275&SessionId=64

Representative Ed Homan is an orthopedic surgeon, who represents Hillsborough, Pasco counties.

[and-justice-for-all]

30. Pure manipulation....

I think a women is well aware of what is happening in her uterus.

[flpoljunkie]

32. Yep. Good point from Dem Rep. Rader that they're spending last day of session on this and not jobs!

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4431&SessionId=64

[flpoljunkie]

31. Rep Stargel, this is not about disclosure, this is about discouraging women from having an abortion.

Let's be honest here. This is not about 'empowering women with information.' This is about discouraging women from having a perfectly legal medical procedure--which is not unrestricted.

[Orsino]

33. How about a literacy test, instead?

Isn't that a cheaper way to keep second-class citizens in line?

[flpoljunkie]

34. Machines locked for quorum call. Vote coming shortly. Bill expected to pass.

[flpoljunkie]

35. Bil passes 72 to 46. Now, will Crist veto, sign into law, or let become law w/o signature?

[flpoljunkie]

36. The Florida Senate passed this ultrasound mandate for an abortion yesterday by a 26-13 vote.

Bill forcing all abortion candidates to get ultrasound expected to pass House, go to governor

By DARA KAM
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Posted: 10:07 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2010

Legislation that would require any woman seeking an abortion in Florida to have an ultrasound and listen to a medical professional's detailed description of the fetus is expected to pass the House and go to the governor Friday, the final day of the session.

House Democrats took a stand Thursday against the anti-abortion measure, temporarily halting other business in the Republican-dominated chamber, but the procedural method they used doesn't apply to the measure and they lack the numbers to prevent the vote Friday.

The Senate approved the bill by a 26-13 vote Thursday afternoon after an hour of emotional debate from both sides.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/bill-forcing-all-abortion-candidates-to-get-ultrasound-647863.html

[BlueIris]

40. Yet more evidence that Florida is beyond the reach of democracy. nt

[flpoljunkie]

37. SPT Buzz blog comments on the passage of this bill...

April 30, 2010

House spends final day on abortion with eye toward Crist

A more than three-hour House debate about an ultrasound bill dissolved into a heated discussion about abortion, as tempers flared and lawmakers warned visitors and young staff to leave the chamber.

It's a remarkable scene on the final day of the legislative session that leaves palatable divisions among Republican and Democratic lawmakers ahead of an election year and ends House Speaker Larry Cretul's tenure on a sour note. The 72-46 mostly party line vote to add the abortion language to a broad health care bill was expected since the debate first began at 8:28 a.m. but it didn't stop the political theater as Republicans used procedural moves to block all amendments and put time limits on debate.

The real decision comes to Gov. Charlie Crist, who has vacillated on the issue in the past but now looks at it through the lens of his nonpartisan bid for the U.S. Senate.

"I want to have that independent governor to think about that the people want ... and veto this bill," pleaded Rep. Richard Steinberg, D-Miami Beach.

But a former Crist supporter, Rep. Chris Dorworth, a Lake Mary Republican, countered: "If he vetoes this bill, he's saying the millions of babies who will be terminated from this are not people. I know he's a man of character and he won't do that."

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2010/04/house-spends-final-day-on-abortion-with-eye-toward-crist.html

[flpoljunkie]

38. Postonpolitics: Charlie Crist has 'concerns' over the abortion bill just passed

Crist has ‘concerns’ over abortion bill, will head to Pensacola to monitor oil spill

by Michael C. Bender
April 30th, 2010

Few people understand nuance better than Gov. Charlie Crist, but after four years we’ve learned that “concern” from the governor about a piece of legislation can often quickly lead to a veto.

Here’s what he told The Palm Beach Post, the only media outlet to talk with Crist about the bill so far today.

“I just saw the House passed it a few minutes ago,” Crist said. “Obviously we haven’t had a chance to review it in our office. But it gives me concern. Sure.”

Asked what about the proposal concerns him, Crist said, “I need to study it.”

Crist was equally serene when asked about the budget. Crist was the target of some choice words from lawmakers when he proposed a $69.2 billion spending plan. The final budget from lawmakers: $70.4 billion.

Crist has been asked several times about a potential veto of the budget, but has steered those questions toward his traditional action on the budget, which has been to veto specific line items and not the entire document.

He did the same today.

“I think what I need to do is let Jerry (McDaniel, Crist’s budget director) and his team look through it very thoughtfully and thoroughly,” Crist said. “Once they’ve had that opportunity, then I go ahead and begin getting briefed by him and his team. I want to be very methodical about it, you know, what’s in there what maybe shouldn’t be in there and do the right thing.”

Crist said he planned head to Pensacola this weekend to monitor the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Crist said the spill “puts the kibosh” on any more talk of expanded oil drilling in the Gulf.

“How anybody could see that and not think that not only do you need to rethink it, but certainly put all the breaks on it,” Crist said. “That’s the only right thing to do.”

http://www.postonpolitics.com/2010/04/crist-has-concerns-over-abortion-bill-will-head-to-pensacola-to-monitor-oil-spill/

[Dappleganger]

39. He's lining things up for a veto.

He's got a lot less to lose now that he's moved into the NPA category.