Davidson County Commissioners approve "heartbeat" resolution supporting restricting abortions
The Davidson County Commissioners have unanimously passed a resolution that supports prohibiting a woman from having an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, joining several other counties in the state who have passed similar resolutions.
This resolution endorses the passage of “Heartbeat Bill” legislation in North Carolina (HB 31) which was co-sponsored by Rep. Larry Potts who represents Davidson County. The proposed bill is currently still being discussed by the N.C. House of Representatives and is not up for debate until the next session.
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According to the resolution passed by the Davidson County Commissioners, “these legislative bills disallow the use of abortion procedures after an unborn child’s heartbeat is detectable; usually no later than six weeks following conception. The presence of a heartbeat is a universal and scientifically accepted indicator that life does exist”.
Potts said that he sponsored the bill because he is representing the opinions of a majority of the people in Davidson County as well as standing up for his personal beliefs.
“All life is important, and for me, life begins at conception. I know not everyone agrees, but I feel we have an obligation to protect the unborn...Having unprotected sex comes with consequences. The mother and the father made that decision, the baby didn’t have any choice and I believe the right to life is one of the most basic rights there are,” said Potts.
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He said that he understands it is a sensitive topic with many different opinions, but as a legislator, he feels he is looking out for the best interests of the unborn child.
In a statement on its website, NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina stated it will continue to fight for the rights of women to make their own choices when it comes to their medical care, regardless of ZIP code, income, insurance coverage or citizenship status.
“We will mobilize together to defeat attacks in the state legislature, educate and mobilize North Carolina’s pro-choice majority to elect pro-choice leaders, and advocate for laws and policies that protect and expand everyone’s access to reproductive health care. We envision a world where all North Carolina residents are empowered, trusted and supported to make the reproductive decisions best for themselves, including accessing quality abortion care,” read the statement.
The proposed North Carolina “heartbeat” bill falls in line with similar laws passed by other states, most notably the Texas Heartbeat Act which was signed into law in May. Throughout 2021, 14 states have passed some sort of law to restrict abortion access.
More: Newly approved U.S. Congressional map divides Davidson County into two electoral districts
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Dec. 1 in a lawsuit brought by Mississippi in an effort to overturn the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision by the U.S Supreme Court in 1973. Roe v. Wade states that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction.
Potts said the outcome of these court cases will directly impact the future of proposed HB 31 and any other legislation pertaining to a woman’s right to have an abortion.
General news reporter Sharon Myers can be reached at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com. Follow her on Twitter @LexDispatchSM.
This article originally appeared on The Dispatch: Davidson County Commissioners approve "heartbeat" resolution on abortions
