Eight North Country representatives voted Wednesday against House Bill 1659,a bill that the Associated Press reportedwould make pregnant women wait 24 hours and certify they had been given information on fetal development before getting an abortion.
Five North Country representatives voted for the bill and three were excused from voting.
As the AP reported: “Abortion opponents say the 24-hour wait ensures women give “informed consent’’ after seeing descriptive pictures of a fetus and a video, but opponents say it is insulting to require women to wait and would be required to undergo biased counseling. Supporters of the bill argued women have a right to be provided with all the information necessary to make a decision they might later regret.”
The bill – House Bill 1659 – passed 189 – 151.
North Country reps voting in favor:
* Edmond Gionet (Republican) of Lincoln.
* Duffy Daugherty (Republican) of Colebrook.
* Herb Richardson (Republican) of Lancaster
* Gregory Sorg (Republican) of Easton.
* John Tholl (Republican) of Whitefield
North Country reps voting against:
* Gary Coulombe (Democrat) of Berlin
* William Hatch (Democrat) of Gorham
* Evalyn Merrick (Democrat) of Lancaster
* Larry Rappaport (Republican) of Colebrook.
* William Remick (Republican) of Lancaster
* Robert Theberge (Democrat) of Berlin
* Kathleen Taylor (Democrat) of Franconia
* Yvonne Thomas (Democrat) of Berlin
North Country reps excused:
* Lyle Bulis (Republican) of Littleton
* Stephanie Eaton (Republican) of Littleton
* Marc Tremblay (Republican) of Berlin
On Thursday the House voted to send the bill back to a committeefor reconsideration.
To see how representatives voted on other legislation gohere.
