Fetus Protection Act
Seems there’s a bill for the president to sign called the fetus protection act, which would make it a separate crime to harm a fetus during an assault on a pregnant woman. But if you read further:
The measure is limited in scope, applying only to harm to a fetus while a federal crime is being committed against the pregnant mother, such as terrorist attacks, drug-related shootings or attacks on federal lands or military bases. But proponents on both sides of the fetal rights and abortion issue saw far-reaching consequences.
Both sides of the abortion debate view this as a possible step toward outlawing abortion under the precedent that it essentially acknowledges a fetus as a person. I, personally, don’t see how congress has any authority to pass such a law but that’s never stopped them before. Nor do I see how this is a federal matter to begin with. However, the fallout will be interesting to watch.
March 26th, 2004 at 9:39 am
How long before the Supreme Court weighs in on this one?
March 29th, 2004 at 2:27 am
Murder is not generally a federal crime, but is under certain circumstances, e.g., murder of federal official, murder in connection with a federal/interstate crime, etc. AFAIK, the new law will only apply to murders that are federal crimes already, i.e., there’s not a real federalism problem here (not a new one, anyway).