Republican Lawmaker Says “Not Her Choice” Before Indiana’s Abortion Ban

Jacob, who was among a handful of Republicans who voted against the bill because it did not go far enough, said, “Trying to end all abortion is not forced birth, but rather it is trying to end murdering children,” the Washington Post reported.

Responding in anger to his remarks on the floor, Democratic House Rep. Renee Pack, said, “Sir, I am not a murderer. And my sisters are not murderers, either. We are pro-choice. That is what we are. We believe that we have command over our own bodies. That’s who we are.”

During the debate, Democratic lawmakers brought up the recent news of a 10-year-old rape victim, who had to travel from Ohio to Indiana to get an abortion. (Many Republicans had dismissed the news as a political hoax before a suspect was arrested for the rape.)

When GOP State Rep. Karen Engleman was asked whether her amendment to eliminate the rape and incest exceptions from the bill would even apply to a 5th grade victim of incest, Engleman sighed and said, “It does,” before adding, “But I think it’s harmful to put a minor in the position of being the new Jane Roe.”