Jerry Cox – Page 715 – Family Council

Senate Committee Passes Pro-Life Resolution

Apr 13, 2021Jerry CoxAbortionAbortion, Arkansas Legislature

On Monday the Senate Public Health Committee passed H.C.R. 1007.

This good resolution by Rep. Jim Wooten (R – Beebe) and Sen. Jason Rapert (R – Conway) recognizes January 22 — the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade abortion decision — as “The Day of Tears” in Arkansas.

Alabama passed a similar resolution last month.

H.C.R. 1007 acknowledges the 61 million of unborn babies killed in abortion in America over the past five decades, and encourages Arkansans to lower their flags to half-staff on January 22 to mourn the innocent children who have lost their lives.

Read The Resolution Here.

Updated: Arkansas House of Representatives Passes Bad “Hate Crimes” Measure

Apr 12, 2021Jerry CoxHate CrimesArkansas Legislature, Hate Crimes

On Monday the Arkansas House of Representatives passed S.B. 622, a bad bill widely being referred to as a “hate crimes” measure. The measure passed by a vote of 65 to 26. The bill previously passed the Arkansas Senate.

As we have written repeatedly, S.B. 622 is so ambiguous that it’s impossible to know just how far-reaching this legislation may be.

The bill fails to define crucial terms like ‘recognizable and identifiable.’

Its protections for religious liberty are inadequate.

It does not contain sufficient safeguards to prevent cities and counties from enacting their own, more stringent hate crimes ordinances.

It does not do enough to protect free speech or prevent thought-policing.

The bill now goes to Governor Asa Hutchinson.

Below is a breakdown of the vote on S.B. 622.

Voted FOR S.B. 622

F. Allen
Barker
S. Berry
M. Berry
Boyd
Bragg
Breaux
Brooks
Brown
Cavenaugh
Christiansen
Coleman
Cozart
Dalby
Deffenbaugh
Dotson
Eaves
Eubanks
Evans
K. Ferguson
D. Ferguson
Fielding
C. Fite
L. Fite
Fortner
Gonzales
M. Gray
Haak
Hawks
Hillman
Holcomb
Hollowell
Jean
Jett
L. Johnson
Ladyman
Lundstrum
Lynch
Maddox
Magie
McClure
McCollum
M. McElroy
McGrew
McNair
S. Meeks
Milligan
Nicks
Penzo
Perry
Pilkington
Richmond
Rye
Shepherd
Slape
S. Smith
Tollett
Tosh
Underwood
Vaught
Wardlaw
Warren
Watson
Wing
Wooten

Voted AGAINST S.B. 622

Bryant
Carr
Cloud
Clowney
A. Collins
Crawford
Ennett
V. Flowers
D. Garner
Gazaway
Godfrey
M. Hodges
Hudson
Love
Lowery
McCullough
McKenzie
Miller
Ray
Richardson
Scott
B. Smith
Speaks
Springer
D. Whitaker
Womack

Voted “Present”

Beatty Jr.
Bentley
C. Cooper
J. Mayberry
Murdock

Did Not Vote

Beck
M. Davis
Furman
Payton

Arkansas Legislature Passes Bill That Will Help Protect Victims of Botched Abortions

Apr 12, 2021Jerry CoxAbortionAbortion, Arkansas Legislature

*Rep. Bentley presents S.B. 527 to the Arkansas House of Representatives.*

On Monday the Arkansas House of Representatives passed S.B. 527. The bill previously passed the Arkansas Senate with overwhelming support.

This good bill by Sen. Ben Gilmore (R – Crossett) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) requires abortion facilities to have transfer agreements with hospitals, and it fixes a flawed definition in a pro-life law passed in 2019.

S.B. 527 is similar to a Kentucky law that survived a legal challenge.

This is a good bill that will help protect women who are victims of botched abortions. Abortion carries a number of serious risks — including risk of laceration, hemorrhaging, and death.

Legislation like S.B. 527 helps protect women in the event of complications from a dangerous abortion procedure.

The bill now goes to the governor to become law.