The National Abortion Federation Condemns Latest South Dakota Abortion Ban

Here is the press release we issued following the vote in South Dakota:

Washington, DC – Reacting to today’s action by the South Dakota House of Representatives to place another referendum before voters that would ban almost all abortions in the state, Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF), noted that “Legislators have again put politics ahead of the well-being of South Dakota women.”

House Bill 1293 would prohibit virtually all safe abortion procedures and contains only narrow exceptions. Saporta called the legislation “an outrageous and dangerous step backward for women’s lives and health.”

If the bill clears the Senate and is signed by the Governor, the measure would be placed before South Dakota voters in the 2008 election.

“Just a few months ago, the citizens of South Dakota voted against returning to the days of illegal and unsafe abortions,” said Saporta.

Last November voters decisively rejected a similar referendum, with 56% of voters casting a vote against a broad abortion ban.