South Dakota Governor signs abortion ban

Gov. Mike Rounds (R) approved a bill on Monday that would make most abortions in the state of South Dakota illegal. The bill is expected to serve as a direct challenge to precedent set in the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade (1973) that legalized the procedure. While he acknowledged that the bill would likely spend many years tied up in the courts, he felt it was a step in the right direction. "Personally I think this court will be more interested in looking at different aspects of Roe v. Wade rather than the direct frontal assault, but we'll never know unless someone tries," stated Rounds. The legislation would make any abortion illegal in the state of South Dakota except those in which the life of the mother is threatened. Doctors performing the procedure would be subject to up to 5 years in prison. Similar bills are being debated in 10 other states, including Georgia.

With the recent appointments of Justices Samuel Alito and John Roberts, this law comes at a time when the Supreme Court is in transition. Many believe that the current court may be more willing to overturn the old Roe v. Wade precedent than previous ones.

The language of the bill speaks to the very core of the pro-life movement, specifically defining life as "beginning at conception."

"The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them," commented Rounds in a written statement.

While the new bill is being hailed by Republicans and conservatives across the nation, it was met of course with equal rancor and indignation on the left. Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood released a statement saying, "These abortion bans, and the politicians supporting them, are far outside the mainstream of America.” Of course, as the operator of the one and only abortion clinic in South Dakota, it is hard to see how Planned Parenthood speaks for mainstream Americans in South Dakota.

Though no one expects this to be the final salvo in the battle over abortion rights in America, it is obvious that the pro-life movement is beginning to move forward with greater confidence than it had a year ago. President Bush has spoken repeatedly about the necessity of creating a Culture of Life in America. After two superb Supreme Court nominations and the willingness of an increasing number of state legislatures (including Georgia's) to step forward, that goal is being achieved, one step at a time.