Mass Senate Affirms Abortion Rights

BOSTON--By a margin of 23-16, pro-choice forces in the Massachusetts Senate yesterday rejected resolution calling on Congress to pass a Human Life Amendment that would outlaw abortion by declaring that life begins at conception.

The vote put the Senate squarely on the side of abortion rights for the first time, but even the victors acknowledged that a differently worded proposal to limit legal abortions could still pass.

Following on the heels of a narrow procedural victory Monday, prochoice supporters said they were pleased by yesterday's vote, which added to their majority.

"It's the first time in this legislative session that we've debated this issue with this set of legislators," observed Sen. Lois Pines, the chief opponent of the resolution.

"It indicates that the tide has turned and the body has become pro-choice. I think it's significant in that regard," said Pines (D-Newton).

Noting that the vote came while the U.S. Supreme Court is considering a challenge to abortion rights posed by the Webster case, officials at MassChoice--the statewide abortion rights group--said they were pleased.

"Given the pending Supreme Court ruling that might allow state legislatures to increase restrictions on abortion access, this is a terrific precedent," said Pam Nourse, the group's executive director.

Pines said part of the reason for the 23 votes against the resolution was the wording of the measure, proposed by Sen. Paul White (D-Boston).

The resolution called on the U.S. Congress to adopt a "Human Life Amendment" that would outlaw abortion entirely by declaring that human life begins at conception.

"It was an extreme resolution," Pines said. "I would expect that on other occasions, the issue would be somewhat limited." Nevertheless, she said there were 21 "solid pro-choice votes" in the Senate.

The majority aligned against the resolution included six of the Senate's eight Republicans. Only Minority Leader David Locke and Sen. Edward Kirby (R-Whitman) voted for the resolution.

Freshman Republican Brian Lees of East Longmeadow chose to make his maiden speech in support of abortion rights.

"I believe that I should not interfere in someone else's life--period," Lees said, adding that he would have preferred to deliver his first Senate speech on another subject but felt compelled to speak out after abortion opponents attacked supporters personally.

The debate, which ranged over nearly two hours, was one of the sharpest in the Senate so far this year.

"The unspeakable tragedy...is the destruction of human life," White said, opening the now-familiar arguments over personal freedom, medical access and human life.

"The issue in this case is not abortion," replied Sen. William Golden, a pro-choice advocate. "Roe v. Wade didn't mandate it. No Human Life Amendment will end it."

Golden argued that the issue was a conflict between a woman's freedom to make decisions and "government intrusion."

Sen. Francis Doris, a staunch abortion opponent, agreed that the debate was not over abortion.

"Of course it isn't. It's about human life and when human life begins," Doris (D-Revere) said. Asserting that life begins at conception and citing several medical authorities on his side, Doris argued that all citizens have a duty to protect the rights of "the unborn."