A near-total ban on abortion? Some NC Republicans support it | Opinion

While the House was buzzing over a veto override and the introduction of its budget proposal, a group of Republican lawmakers quietly introduced a bill that would completely ban abortion in North Carolina.

House Bill 533, titled the “Human Life Protection Act of 2023,” was introduced by members of the N.C. House Freedom Caucus on Wednesday. It would ban abortion starting at the point of conception, except for “when necessary to preserve the life of the mother.” In an abjectly cruel move, it does not even contain exceptions for rape or incest.

To be clear, this bill — introduced by some of the most extreme Republicans serving in the House — is not likely to become law. By all accounts, Republicans are still working toward a consensus on a bill that would amend North Carolina’s current abortion law, which restricts abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

But while this bill may only have the support of some Republican lawmakers, it’s disturbing enough that any of them would support such a measure. It also confirms people’s worst fears: that some Republicans won’t be satisfied until abortion is outlawed entirely.

Still, we can’t help but wonder whether this bill is a litmus test of sorts. Compared to this bill, a six or 13-week ban could be framed by Republicans as “reasonable” or a “compromise.” Including exceptions for rape and incest in a future bill could even be parroted as generous.

We shouldn’t let that happen. Some bans may be crueler than others, but whether the line is drawn at 13 weeks, six or 20, the effect is the same. It robs people of the ability to make a decision they alone should be able to make. It robs them of autonomy over their bodies and their lives — a slap in the face to their dignity and equality under the law.

Another explanation could be that some Republicans may just be impatient to get the conversation started. Axios Raleigh reported this week that the GOP is at an impasse on abortion restrictions, and some members are apparently questioning whether they’ll be able to pass a bill at all.

As Republicans continue their discussions, they should remember that this is not what North Carolinians want. A majority of voters do not believe our state’s abortion laws should be stricter, and they certainly do not believe it should be banned entirely.

But any law further restricting abortion wouldn’t just affect North Carolinians. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, North Carolina has been an abortion safe haven for the Southeast — one of the only states in the region where abortion is not severely restricted. In the eight months post-Roe, North Carolina experienced a 37% jump in abortions — the biggest percentage increase in any state, The New York Times reported.

For as much as Republicans crow about preserving freedom, they’ve shown they are also willing to take it away. They are willing to erode hard-earned rights and protections without a second thought, and while we knew it was coming, it’s an insult nonetheless.