Indiana state representative proposed bill to outlaw erectile dysfunction drugs in light of abortion ban
Indiana House Democratic Caucus/Getty Images
- Indiana Rep. John L Bartlett proposed an amendment to the states abortion ban to outlaw erectile dysfunction drugs.
- "If, in fact, an unwanted pregnancy is an act of God, then impotence is an act of God," he said.
- After the debate, Indiana became the first state to pass a new abortion ban since the overturning of Roe v Wade.
Indiana Representative recently proposed an amendment to the state's abortion law that would outlaw erectile dysfunction drugs.
State Representative John L. Bartlett, who represents Indiana House District 95, proposed an amendment to Indiana's abortion law to outlaw the sale, prescription, or distribution of erectile dysfunction drugs and other male sexual incompetence drugs.
Speaking in the Indiana House of Representatives, Bartlett, a Democrat, said, "We're forcing young girls to be mothers but not forcing the men to be fathers."
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" If, in fact, an unwanted pregnancy is an act of God, then impotence is an act of God. I think the onus should be put on men for these pregnancies."
When bill leader Republican Kelly McNamara responded, saying "I will measure my comments as I don't want to get in trouble, but please oppose this amendment."
Democratic Bartlett said, "some may think this is a joke, but it takes two people for a pregnancy to come about, and to put all the onus on the woman, I just think it's unfair."
Bartlett's amendment failed on a voice note, whereby members of the House will shout yay or nay to signal their support (or lack thereof).
After the debate, Indiana became the first state to pass a new abortion ban since the overturning of Roe v Wade.
The State's Governor signed the bill into law hours after it was put on his desk. The new law is a strict ban on abortion, only with exceptions on the conditions of rape or incest before 10 weeks after fertilization and in cases where the pregnancy threatens the life of the pregnant individual.
The bill adds an additional exception if "the fetus is diagnosed with a lethal fetal anomaly."