Facing Pressure, Gov. Crist May Veto Abortion Mandate Opt-Out Bill; Rubio Responds

Joe Schoffstall | May 7, 2010
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Charlie Crist, the Republican-turned-Independent Governor of Florida, is swaying towards vetoing a measure that would opt the state out of federal health law’s abortion mandate. Crist said even though he is personally pro-life, that he my kill the bill, claiming he does not want to “impose his views upon others.” “I’m concerned about it,” Crist stated of the legislation on Wednesday. “Even though I am pro-life, I do not want to impose my views upon others.” Senate hopeful and Republican candidate Marco Rubio responded to the possibility of vetoing HB 1143, “It is my hope that Governor Crist will come down on the side of life, and sign HB 1143 into law, or at least allow it to become law without his signature. This commonsense measure is a small but important step toward providing women with vital information during perhaps the most critical healthcare decision they will ever make.” Rubio continued, “While it has not received as much attention as the ultrasound provision, this legislation will also allow Florida to opt out of the abortion coverage mandate in the federal healthcare overhaul which was recently passed. If Governor Crist vetoes this legislation, he will clear the way for taxpayer funding of abortion in Florida, an extreme policy which runs contrary to the mainstream values most Floridians share.” HB 1143 would require abortionists to give women an opportunity to view ultrasound images of their unborn children before an abortion and provide a “description of the fetus, including a description of the various stages of development.” The bill includes an exception in cases where the mother is a victim of rape, incest, domestic violence, human trafficking, or at risk of life-threatening injury due to the pregnancy; it also allows for women to decline to view the ultrasound, as reported by Kathleen Gilbert at LifeSiteNews. Eyeblast.tv spoke to the Family Research Council, who stated that Gov. Crist was never what he appeared to be. “He’s always said these issues aren’t important to him, as he’s been trying to ‘woo’ over Conservatives, be it for Governor or the Senate. Now that people realize that he’s not truly pro-life, he sees no reason to keep up the façade.” “He’s publicly said all those issues, be it the Florida marriage amendment or other life issues, “those issues aren’t what’s at the forefront of my mind.” This is even more so an indictment on the Senatorial Committee for backing someone like Crist because they knew what his background was.” Eyeblast.tv contacted the office of Gov. Crist who did not respond by the time this article was published.

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