Eric Turner, a Republican state representative from Indiana, argued this week that a proposed amendment meant to add exceptions for rape and incest to a strict anti-abortion bill should not be considered because it would allow women to lie about cases of rape or incest in order to receive the procedure.
"I just want you to think about this, in my view, giant loophole that could be created where someone who could -- now i want to be careful, I don't want to disparage in any way someone who has gone through the experience of a rape or incest -- but someone who is desirous of an abortion could simply say that they've been raped or there's incest," Turner told his colleagues during a debate on HB 1210, a bill he introduced.
Turner's comments came in response to a proposal by State Rep. Gail Riecken (D), who brought forth a measure designed to scale back the legislation, which, if passed, would make Indiana one of the most restrictive states in the nation for abortion.
The eyebrow-raising contention didn't go over without controversy, however, as another Democratic colleague immediately stood to deliver an emotional testimony against Turner's claim.
Think Progress reports:
Outraged by Turner's allegation, state Rep. Linda Lawson (D) -- who spent six years as a sex crimes investigator for the Indiana police -- delivered an emotional rebuke. Describing her experience with both elderly and young children who had been raped, she forcefully informed Turner that "they don't make it up." "Women don't make this up! My Goodness!" she exclaimed. "This is the state of Indiana!"
Riecken's amendment to allow exemptions for women who became pregnant in cases of rape and incest was eventually voted down, 54-42. On Wednesday evening, the House voted 72-23 in favor of HB 1210, sending the bill to the Senate for a final vote. According to the Indianapolis Star, the fact that the Senate has already passed a similar anti-abortion bill makes it likely they will approve the House's version, which would send it to Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) to sign into law.
WATCH via Think Progress: