Mich. House votes to ban partial-birth abortion

The Michigan House of Representatives voted 74-32 to ban partial-birth abortion Tuesday night.

Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, said he voted against the ban because the bill was “unnecessary” due to a 2003 federal ban on partial-birth abortion already in place.

“It’s a trophy legislation for the Michigan Right to Life and its director Ed Rivet,” Meadows said.

Rep. Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, said the legislation was necessary to show Michigan law agrees with the federal ban.

“Any opportunity we can take to eliminate abortion is the right step in my opinion,” Meekhof said.

The House did not pass a companion bill that would set the penalties for breaking the ban, thus making it effective, he said.

The bill was passed by the Senate Jan. 22 by a 24-13 vote.

The bill will need approval from Gov. Jennifer Granholm.