Republican State Senator Patrick Testin and Representative Barb Dittrich have unveiled new legislation that bans abortions based on the gender, race, or nationality of the unborn child or whether that child has a congenital disease such as Down Syndrome.
"Now is the time [for this legislation]," Dittrich said on The Dan O'Donnell Show Thursday. "People are starting to see how abhorrent this practice is."
The measure, announced in a news release on Wednesday, "would prevent abortions from being performed solely because of the race, color, national origin, ancestry, or sex of the unborn child or solely because the unborn child has been diagnosed with or has a potential diagnosis of Down syndrome or another congenital disability."
"This bill really protects the vulnerable populations who have a history of being targeted for discrimination both before and after birth, primarily women, racial minorities, and individuals who have congenital disabilities," Testin said.
Republicans control both the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate, but it is unlikely that Democratic Governor Tony Evers would sign the bill should it reach his desk. Testin, however, believes he should.
"I've heard the Governor talk about how we need more equality and making sure that minorities and women have an opportunity to be successful and I think this is all in line with statements he's made in the past," the Senator said. "This would be an opportunity for Governor Evers to once again tell the people of Wisconsin that he's going to live up to the promises he's made to the people of this state."
Click on the player below to listen to the complete interview with Senator Testin and Representative Testin: