STATEHOUSE (April 11, 2022) — A letter recently sent to the governor includes the names of Elkhart County 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. Joanna King (R-Middlebury), Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) and Timothy Wesco (R-Osceola) stand ready to return to the Statehouse to help pass legislation to better protect the sanctity of life.
"Every human life deserves to be protected, and that's why I will continue to support pro-life efforts, and fight for the health and safety of all Hoosier women," King said. "If the Supreme Court hands down a favorable ruling, we should be ready to take action immediately to further protect our unborn."
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.
"Under strong, conservative leadership, Indiana’s abortion rate has continued to drop but we need to do more," Miller said. "Advocating and being a voice for unborn is a top priority, and I hope I have the opportunity to join my colleagues in returning to the Statehouse this summer to strengthen Indiana's life protections."
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. Wesco said Indiana ranks at the top of the 2021 Defending Life report card from Americans United for Life.
"Our goal is to save the lives of the unborn in our country," Wesco said. "Where other states may waver, we stand ready, willing, and hopefully soon, able to end abortions in the Hoosier state."
This legislative session, King authored a new law, which was supported by Miller and Wesco, 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.
-30-
State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) represents House District 49,
Which includes the eastern portion of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) represents House District 48,
which includes portions of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osceola) represents House District 21,
which includes portions of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
