Gracie Skogman, Wisconsin Right to Life legislative/PAC director, testified in favor of the Wisconsin Heartbeat Act during this afternoon’s public hearing for the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Legal Review and Consumer Protection.
Her testimony, in part, stated:
“The presence of a heartbeat in an unborn child is a powerful sign of life – and life that is worth protecting. Advancements in science and medicine now allow expectant mothers to hear their baby’s heartbeat as early as six weeks. Additionally, the baby’s brain and the spinal cord have started to develop and blood vessels begin forming into the circulatory system.
“Yet, the heartbreaking reality is that 85% of abortions in the United States are performed after this state of development, stopping a beating heart. The Heartbeat Act relies on indisputable scientific reality and ensures unborn children are spared from abortion once a heartbeat can be detected.
“This legislation is lifesaving and lifechanging, as evidenced by its passage in Texas where over 10,000 babies have been saved in less than six months. Women are able to hear the beating hearts of their unborn children, and are given a chance at life without the pain and trauma of abortion. Texas lawmakers also took the vital step of creating a vast support system for women facing challenging or unexpected pregnancies, and we must do the same here in Wisconsin. Abortion providers promise women easy solutions, yet all they offer is procedures that end in death for the child and potentially life long despair and pain for the expectant mother. Women must instead be offered support, compassion, and the knowledge that they have options and resources available to them.
“The message of the Heartbeat Act is one of hope, and is a powerful reaffirming of the humanity of unborn children. It is founded in indisputable scientific reality and the necessity of protecting and valuing all human life. Wisconsin Right to Life thanks Senator Bradley and Representative Rozar for bringing SB 923 forward and urge support of this legislation.”
Heather Weininger, Wisconsin Right to Life executive director, stated, “Regardless of the outcome of the Heartbeat Act, our efforts are to ensure every Wisconsinite hears about the development of a preborn baby. Today, that discussion began. As we wait for the Dobbs decision from the Supreme Court, we continue to work each day to educate about when a heartbeat begins and provide life-affirming alternatives to abortion.”
Wisconsin Right to Life applauds Senator Bradley and Representative Rozar for introducing the Wisconsin Heartbeat Act (SB 923).
