NM Republican Lawmaker Introduces Bill that Forces Rape Victims to Carry Fetus to Term for Use As Evidence

Criminalizes Victims Who Seek Protection from Rape/Incest

January 24, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Scott Forrester – 505-934-5681

Albuquerque, NM - NM Republican State Representative Cathrynn Brown has introduced so-called"Exhibit A" legislation demanding that 'legitimate rape' victims carry a fetus to term for use as evidence in trial, thus criminalizing victims who seek protection from rape/incest.  If enacted, a rape victim who ended her pregnancy would be charged with a third degree felony. 

Yes, you read that correctly.  The Republican Party in New Mexico, led by Gov. Susana Martinez, is continuing the War on Women right here in the Land of Enchantment.

Here is the exact language:

“Tampering with evidence shall include procuring or facilitating an abortion, or compelling or coercing another to obtain an

abortion, of a fetus that is the result or criminal sexual penetration or incest with the intent to destroy evidence of the crime.

Below is a statement from DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales following the introduction of the "Exhibit A" bill:

"This is a sad day for women, and really a sad day for all New Mexicans. Instead of focusing on the number one priority of bringing jobs to New Mexico, Republican lawmakers continue their war on women by introducing this atrocious piece of legislation. It's like Republicans were wearing blinders when the results came in last November, because Republicans lost numerous seats on this very issue, but they apparently did not get the message.

"This bill is wrong, and should never see the light of day in any legislature in this country, let alone New Mexico. The War on Women in America has to stop. No woman should ever be forced to carry a child for "evidence," plain and simple. I call on the leaders of the Republican Party of New Mexico and Governor Susana Martinez to denounce this bill and I hope we can get back to a focus on what New Mexico families are starving for: Jobs. 

"I'm also urging all New Mexicans to call Cathrynn Brown's official number at (505) 986-4248 or email her official address at cath@cathrynnbrown.com and let her know that this bill is completely out of line."

###

For president, Barack Obama

The New Mexican
Posted: Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 10/20/12

President Barack Obama has earned four more years.

He inherited an unholy mess — an economy teetering on the edge of a second Great Depression and two foreign wars top the list of disasters. Slowly, steadily and with his eye fixed firmly on the needs of the country, the president has worked hard every day to improve our collective good. It was President Obama who bailed out the auto industry, salvaging 1.1 million jobs and keeping manufacturing alive in this country. It was President Obama who made the gutsy call to invade a compound in Pakistan, tracking down and killing Osama bin Laden. It was President Obama who finally signed comprehensive health reform so that no American has to fear bankruptcy because of a medical catastrophe. More work remains for a second term.

Despite 31 months of consecutive job growth, too many Americans still need jobs. Despite ending the war in Iraq, the United States still must leave Afghanistan and repurpose our military strength. Despite passing the Affordable Care Act, we need a President Obama in office to ensure that citizens do not lose their dearly won access to health care. Despite progress on equal rights — passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act ensuring equal pay for women, ending “don’t ask, don’t tell” in the military so that gay and lesbian troops can serve openly and announcing his support for equal marriage — more progress is needed.

And it is that word — progress — that we urge voters to keep in mind when casting their ballots. Voters are not simply choosing between two men — President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney — they are selecting two philosophies of governing and of life.

In the world of Barack Obama, raised by a single mother and grandparents, propelled to the top through his own hard work, intelligence and drive, we all do better when we come together. He has never forgotten the struggles of his youth, understanding better than most the necessity of individual initiative. To Obama, government is not the enemy. It is not dispenser of all wisdom or wealth, either. Government is the safety net that catches the weak, the sick, the old and the very poor. It is also our collective will in action — building, defending and securing our nation. Obama will not privatize Social Security or reduce Medicare to a voucher system that costs too much while not guaranteeing treatment. He understands that Medicaid, which underwrites medical care for the very poor, must be protected from budget slashers who think nothing of leaving sick people at the emergency room door while asking for more tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.

Mitt Romney’s world is very different, one of privilege and wealth, where in his view, 47 percent of all citizens are takers who won’t assume responsibility for their lives. He had the good fortune to be born in a two-parent home, and should be credited for taking his comfortable start and building a fortune with it. He is a model of a citizen, a good father, husband and church member, contributing to his greater community with both his time and treasure. However, his vision for the United States — with almost half the population moochers — will not lift the least of us up. Instead, it will continue to divide the country along class lines, further splitting us between the haves-a-lot and everyone else.

This election — aren’t they all? — is an important one.

The next president will appoint one, perhaps two Supreme Court justices. Those unelected justices, as the entire country knows, extend the influence of a president long after his term ends; we much prefer a Sotomayor or a Kagan to a Scalia or Thomas.

The next president must continue navigating the dangerous shoals of the Middle East — it is disconcerting to realize that many of Gov. Romney’s foreign policy advisers are the same people who drew us into the unnecessary war in Iraq. They seem hellbent on attacking Iran, another disastrous war the country does not need. The next president must cut spending and raise revenues, smartly and with precision, so that the nation continues necessary investments in education, infrastructure and innovation, while at the same time reducing the deficit. The next president must pass comprehensive immigration reform, finding a path to citizenship for the many people now living in the shadows, while at the same time securing our borders.

So much accomplished in four years. So much remaining to be done.

For president of the United States, The Santa Fe New Mexican endorses Barack Obama.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, October 3, 2012

CONTACT: Matt Ross (505) 263-4879

Albuquerque, NM – Democratic Party of New Mexico (DPNM) Executive Director Scott Forrester today issued the following statement following Governor Martinez’s comments raising the stakes for Mitt Romney in tonight’s first presidential debate.Earlier today, the Governor called the debate “critical” for Mitt Romney and added that “it’s going to be extremely important for Mitt Romney to truly communicate with people with a plan”.

“Governor Martinez is right that tonight’s debate is ‘critical’ for Mitt Romney. After shockingly declaring to a group of wealthy donors that nearly half of the American people – 47 percent – view themselves as ‘victims’, entitled to handouts, and unwilling to take ‘personal responsibility’ for their lives, how could tonight’s debate not be? With only six days until early voting begins, Romney will do anything to distract from his comments attacking half of the American people, but New Mexicans know the truth about how he really feels,” said Democratic Party of New Mexico (DPNM) Executive Director Scott Forrester.

“At tonight’s debate, President Obama will continue his conversation with the American people about his specific, concrete plans to restore middle-class security and move our country forward. Romney will keep hiding his specific plans behind lies, distortions, and ‘zingers’. In fact, just this morning, one of Romney’s top advisors said it’s hard to get into specifics in a debate. Last time I checked, that’s what debates are supposed to be about.”

To see the full video of Governor Martinez’s remarks, courtesy of Capitol Report New Mexico, click here.

# # #

Five Ways The Ryan Budget Hurts New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE (Aug. 21, 2012) – Republican Senate candidate Heather Wilson says she “admires” Paul Ryan for his willingness to “put forth bold ideas” that would end Medicare as we know it, impose deep cuts to Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories, gut funding for early education and college assistance, increase taxes on the middle class, and deal a severe blow to women and Hispanic families.

Here are five ways the Ryan budget hurts New Mexico:

1.  The Ryan budget ends Medicare as we know it.  The Ryan budget would scrap the guaranteed benefits provided by Medicare, and force nearly 300,000 New Mexico seniors into a voucher program when they retire.  As a result, health care costs for seniors would increase by as much as $5,900 each year.  The Ryan budget would also force many seniors to pay the full cost of their prescription drugs, burdening them with costs of almost $12,000.

2. The Ryan budget would impose deep cuts to Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories.  Under the Ryan budget, funding for Sandia National Laboratories would be reduced by 10 percent, while funding for Los Alamos National Laboratory would be reduced by 17 percent.  These cuts would impede the essential missions carried out at the laboratories and cut New Mexico jobs. 

3. The Ryan budget would gut funding for early education and college assistance.  In New Mexico alone, $16 million would be cut from Head Start programs and more than $21 million would be cut from Pell Grants.  As a result, more than 2,000 children would loose access to preschool and other early education programs and more than 3,000 college students would loose their assistance entirely in New Mexico. 

4. The Ryan budget would cut taxes for the rich while raising taxes on New Mexico’s middle class.  Hard-working New Mexican families with incomes below $200,000 would see their taxes increase by nearly $2,700 each year.  At the same time, the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy would be made permanent and millionaires would get a windfall tax cut of $265,000.   

5. The Ryan budget would deal a severe blow to women and Hispanic families.  The Ryan budget’s extreme reforms to Medicare would increase out-of-pocket health care costs for nearly 190,000 Hispanic New Mexicans by thousands of dollars each year.  They would also disproportionately affect women, who account for the majority of Medicare recipients.  Increasing the cost of services like mammograms and cancer screenings would put preventative health care further out of reach for millions of women across the country.

###

Background:

 

Heather Wilson says she admires Ryan’s willingness to put forth bold ideas.  "Paul Ryan and I served together and I've always found that he's a decent, honest and smart man," Wilson said. "And I admire his willingness to put forth bold ideas on big issues, even if I don't always agree with him." [KOB Eyewitness News, 8/11/12]

Wilson’s implicit support for the Ryan Budget.  In May 2011, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported that, when asked about the Ryan Budget, Wilson responded, “I give [Ryan] a lot of credit for trying to have a serious debate about saving Medicare. Democrats have not offered one single idea to save Medicare.”  [Santa Fe New Mexican, 5/30/11]

 

The Ryan budget would end Medicare as we know it, force 300,000 New Mexico seniors into a voucher program.  The Ryan Budget would end traditional Medicare and its guaranteed benefits and instead give seniors vouchers to purchase private insurance or Medicare.  The value of the vouchers would not keep up with the rising cost of health care.  Once again, insurance companies would reap big profits as seniors would be forced to pay as much as $5,900 more for the benefits they have now.  [CBO, 3/20/12; CBPP, 3/20/12]

 

Ryan Budget would reinstate the prescription drug “Donut Hole.”  The Ryan Budget would reinstate the prescription drug donut hole and cost the average senior who falls into the donut hole approximately $11,794 between 2012 and 2020. [HHS, 3/19/12; State level data compiled byHHS, 3/20/12]

 

Ryan Budget would mean 10 percent budget cut for Sandia National Labs, 17 percent cut for Los Alamos National Labs. In January 2011, the Albuquerque Journal reported that “A budget resolution approved by the U.S. House this week would have devastating consequences for New Mexico's national laboratories…The Republican-controlled House on Tuesday approved a resolution that instructs House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., to prepare budget blueprint for 2011 that rolls back spending…to 2008 spending levels. That would mean a roughly 10 percent reduction for Sandia National Laboratories and an approximately 17 percent budget cut at Los Alamos National Laboratory.” [Albuquerque Journal, 1/27/11]

 

Funding for Pell Grants in New Mexico would be cut by more than $21 million. The Ryan Budget would cut $21.5M in New Mexico funding for Pell Grants over the next two years resulting in 3,041 students losing assistance.  The average recipient would see a cut of $164. [Democratic Policy and Communications Center] 

  

The Ryan budget’s cuts to early childhood education.  According to the National Education Association, the Ryan Budget would cut $15.8M in New Mexico funding over the next two years for the Head Start program resulting in an estimated 2,064 children losing assistance while an estimated 940 jobs would be lost. [NEA, accessed on 8/12/12] 

 

Ryan Plan Would Cut Taxes For The Wealthiest, Like Mitt Romney, While Increasing Taxes for “Most Americans Making Less Than $200,000.” ABC found that “While Mitt Romney would reportedly pay less than one percent of his income in taxes under Paul Ryan's previous tax plan, most Americans making less than $200,000 would see a tax hike under the budget of Ryan proposed before his selection to be Romney's running mate, according to a report by Sen. Robert Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) [...] Households with incomes between $100,000 and $200,000 would see their taxes increase by $2,681, the Joint Economic Committee said.” [ABC, 8/14/12]

 

An Estimated 180,742 Hispanics Would Potentially Be Affected By Ryan Budget Changes To Medicare.   The Ryan budget would force all seniors onto the voucher program starting in 2023.  This would impact 180,742 Hispanics in New Mexico between the ages of 40-54, who would be forced to get a voucher to purchase their health insurance.  [CBO, 3/20/12; CBPP, 3/20/12; CAP, 3/2012; University of New Mexico Bureau of Business & Economic Research, 6/13/12]

 

Women account for the majority of Medicare recipients.  Women constitute more than half of the individuals with Medicare. The program is therefore critically important to preserving the health and well-being of our mothers and grandmothers. Because women, on average, are poorer, live longer and have more health care needs than men, Medicare (sometimes combined with Medicaid) potentially plays a greater role for them in preventing illness and destitution. [NWLC, 5/23/11]  

 

The Ryan Budget will require that seniors pay deductibles, co-insurance, and copayments for many preventive services currently covered by Medicare; including cancer screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies as well as annual wellness visits. As a result, fewer seniors will access these preventive services, thereby dramatically increasing Medicare spending in the long-term. [CMS, 2/15/12]

 

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/votemartinheinrich 

TWITTER: twitter.com/heinrich4nm

WEB: martinheinrich.com