STATEHOUSE (April 7, 2022) – A letter recently sent to the governor includes the names of local lawmakers who are urging him to call a special session if the U.S. Supreme Court completely or partially overturns Roe v. Wade.
The nation's highest court is expected to rule in June on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization where the state of Mississippi is challenging Roe. Assuming the Court completely or partially overturns Roe v. Wade, State Reps. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City), Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) and Ann Vermilion (R-Marion) stand ready to reconvene at the Statehouse to pass legislation to better protect the sanctity of life.
"We can't afford to wait when it comes to protecting the lives of the unborn," Prescott said. "I fully support returning to the Statehouse as soon as possible to strengthen Indiana's life protections should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn all or a portion of Roe this summer."
Indiana Right to Life estimates an additional 4,000 abortions would occur in the state if the General Assembly waits until the 2023 legislative session to address any changes to Roe v. Wade.
"As a legislator, I will always stand up for those without a voice," Rowray said. "We can't waver in our fight to protect the sanctity of life, and I hope we have the opportunity to take action."
Since 2008, abortions dropped by 29% in Indiana and are currently less than half of the state's all-time high of over 16,500 in 1980. Vermilion said with years of strong conservative leadership, Indiana ranks at the top of the 2021 Defending Life report card from Americans United for Life.
"In Indiana, we fight for life at every stage," Vermilion said. "It's critical that we act as soon as possible to better protect those who can't protect themselves, and I eagerly await the court's decision on this case."
This legislative session, Prescott, Rowray and Vermilion supported a new law making it a felony in Indiana to coerce a woman into having an abortion. The law also holds abortion clinics accountable for failing to report coercion to law enforcement. According to a 2017 Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons study, nearly 75% of the 987 American women who participated in an after-abortion survey admitted they experienced at least subtle forms of pressure to terminate their pregnancies.
Click here for a copy of the letter sent to the governor.
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State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) represents House District 33, which
includes Jay and Randolph counties, and a portion of Delaware County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) represents House District 35,
which includes portions of Delaware and Madison counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Ann Vermilion (R-Marion) represents House District 31,
which includes all of Blackford County and portions of Delaware, Grant and Wells counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
