Looming abortion vote bringing fire to South Dakota Capitol

Pro-life lawmakers want author of pro-choice measure to testify on resolution condemning ballot measure that aims to legalize abortion

Members of the public attend the annual “March for Life” rally Sunday, January 28th. (Submitted)

PIERRE – Leading proponents and opponents of a potential amendment that would add a right to an abortion in the state’s Constitution could meet face-to-face for the first time at the state Capitol next week.

House Concurrent Resolution 6008 would express the Legislature’s opposition to the pro-abortion ballot measure that Dakotans for Health is currently circulating petitions for. Should that ballot measure become legal, it would effectively allow abortions through all three trimesters of pregnancy in South Dakota — albeit with escalating restrictions as a pregnancy progressed. 

Though being carried by prime sponsors Rep. Gary Cammack and Sen. Sydney Davis, the bill enjoys the support of nearly every Republican in each chamber, an uncommon occurrence for even the most agreeable resolutions or commemorations. 

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But broad opposition in the Capitol to the proposed amendment is not dissuading House Majority Leader Will Mortenson from inviting Dakotans for Health founder Rick Weiland from coming to Pierre to defend the amendment when it is slated to come to a vote in the House State Affairs Committee next Wednesday. 

“The measure would affect generations of South Dakotans and would repeal dozens of sections of code containing health and safety protections for mothers, medical providers, and children,” Mortenson wrote in a letter to Weiland obtained by The Dakota Scout. “It has been described as one of the most extreme in the nation.”