Tennessee Follows South Dakota...Backs Anti-Abortion Step

Tenn. Senate Backs Anti-Abortion Step
Tennessee Senate Makes First Step Toward Amending Constitution to Eliminate Right to Abortion


The state Senate on Thursday passed a proposal to amend the Tennessee Constitution so that it doesn't guarantee the right to abortion. Senators voted 24-9 to pass the resolution sponsored by Fowler. (AP
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Mar 9, 2006 (AP)— The state Senate on Thursday passed a proposal to amend the Tennessee Constitution so that it doesn't guarantee a woman's right to an abortion.

The 24-9 vote was the first step of many toward officially amending the state constitution. The measure would go before voters if the General Assembly approves it twice over the next two years.

The state Supreme Court has ruled that the Tennessee Constitution grants women a greater right to abortion than the U.S. Constitution.

Abortion rights supporters are attacking the measure as a stepping stone to prohibiting all abortions in Tennessee if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the landmark abortion decision in Roe v. Wade.

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