Alabama lawmaker responds to abortion ban with mandatory vasectomy bill: 'It always takes two to tango'
In response to last year’s near-total (and temporarily blocked) abortion ban in Alabama, a state legislator has introduced a bill that would require a man to undergo a vasectomy, at his own expense, “within one month of his 50th birthday or the birth of his third biological child, whichever comes first.”
House Bill 238, introduced on Thursday by Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D) notes, “Under existing law, there are no restrictions on the reproductive rights of men.”
The bill, Hollis says in a statement she shared with Yahoo Lifestyle, “is meant to neutralize last year’s abortion ban bill, and sends the message that men should not be legislating what women do with their bodies.” Further, she told AL.com, “It always takes two to tango. We can’t put all the responsibility on women. Men need to be responsible also.”
The online backlash was swift, of course, with critics calling it “wrong,” “sick,” and “Communism,” although plenty of supporters got her point, and celebrated it, saying, “Ha! Stay out of my uterus!” and “Wahoo!”
What the HELL is going on in AL?!
Alabama Democrat Rolanda Hollis proposes a bill REQUIRING MEN OVER 50 or over to have a vasectomy...OR ANY MALE, ANY AGE, after their 3rd child!
Hello China!
COMMUNISM is being PUSHED in AL and VA, TEST STATES, people. https://t.co/Mf4SIQtk9G— Melanie Lauren (@Sweetemmilyn) February 13, 2020
@realDonaldTrump rolanda Hollis is bringing a bill that would force men at the age of 50 to get a vasectomy. Democrats are sick. They violate everyone's rights to fulfill a SICK agenda.
— alice acosta (@allie258) February 14, 2020
@Adorable_Todd @DigiDiva2020 @Solmemes1 @phillyeaglesfa1 @G_Actually @WhosAndreDGiant@atexan575 @gohatt
Now Democrats want to take away a MAN'S right to choose life!
AL State Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D) has introduced a mandatory vasectomy bill!! https://t.co/chfCEshmWo— TGCountry (@Tgrace007) February 14, 2020
Wahoo!
“Under existing law, there are no restrictions on the reproductive rights of men”
HB 238, filed by Rep. Rolanda Hollis, would require a man to undergo a vasectomy after the birth of his 3rd biological child or w/in 1 month of his 50th birthday...at his own expense https://t.co/Qq82VkZFil— Peg (@ethnobot) February 14, 2020
🤣🤣
Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D) introduced a bill requiring men to get a vasectomy. House Bill 238, creates a law requiring men to get the procedure "within a month of their 50th birthday or the birth of his third biological child, whichever comes first."
Ha! Stay out of my uterus!— 𝒜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈𝒶 𝒾𝓈 𝒻𝑒𝒹 𝓊𝓅! Are you? Vote Blue! (@AriesaSandino) February 14, 2020
Watch how quickly the pro lifers cry foul. Mandatory vasectomy at 50 or after 3 kids? Alabama bill proposes it https://t.co/Hb5VAZnzOQ via @wzzm13
— General William T. Sherman (@secularagnostic) February 14, 2020
Hollis responded to some of the outcry by including in her statement: “Many have seen HB238 as an outrageous overstep; yet, year after year the majority party continues to introduce new legislation that tries to dictate a woman’s body and her reproductive rights. We should view this as the same outrageous overstep in authority.”
She added, “Just as I would turn to my doctor over my state legislator to make recommendations when deciding whether or not to have a surgery, or whether or not to take a certain type of medicine, it is my doctor with whom I — or any of my loved ones — should consult when it comes to making the incredibly difficult decisions related to my personal reproductive rights.”
Related Video: Abortion Bans in Alabama, Other States Are Just the Beginning
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Most women feel relief and happiness after having an abortion, study finds
The internet goes crazy after Leana Wen ousted from Planned Parenthood: ‘This is a monumental loss’
Every Senate vote for Alabama's abortion ban was from a white man
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