STATEHOUSE (April 13, 2022) – A letter recently sent to the governor includes the names of Hancock 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. Bob Cherry (R-Greenfield) and Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) stand ready to reconvene at the Statehouse to pass legislation to better protect the sanctity of life.
"In my view, protecting the sanctity of life is the most important duty we have as legislators," Cherry said. "If the court rules to overturn Roe v. Wade, we need to act immediately, and I join the call for our governor to support these efforts by calling us back into session."
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.
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. Jeter said with years of strong conservative leadership, Indiana ranks at the top of the 2021 Defending Life report card from Americans United for Life.
"Roe v. Wade gives a right that has no foundation within the U.S. Constitution, and the question of abortion should be left up to the states to answer," Jeter said. "Indiana is a state that deeply values and respects the rights of the unborn. I pledge to do everything possible to further protect life."
This legislative session, Cherry and Jeter 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. Bob Cherry (R-Greenfield) represents House District 53,
which includes portions of Hancock and Madison counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) represents House District 88,
which includes portions of Marion, Hamilton and Hancock counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
