On a 61-35 vote on Assembly Bill 377 (AB 377) last week, the State Assembly redefined when life begins and  denied freedom of religion and freedom of conscience to hospitals and hospital workers. Authored by Rep. Terry Musser ( R-Black River Falls) and co-sponsored by 3 Republicans and 45 Democrats, AB 377 requires that all Wisconsin hospitals dispense so-called "emergency contraception" (defined as the morning-after pill or the intrauterine device) to victims of sexual assault who request it.   

Here's how AB 377 redefines life:  "emergency contraception" can prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. Science confirms that life begins at conception--at the moment of fertilization. Implantation is not when life begins, but implantation is necessary for life to continue. Depriving a fertilized egg of implanting in the uterine wall results in the death of a human being at the earliest moments of life.  The majority "yes" vote yesterday summarily redefined when life begins for legal purposes in Wisconsin; according to this bill, it begins at implantation, not conception.

Here's how AB 377 denies religious freedom and conscience: The bill had no religious or conscience exemption for hospitals or their employees. According to the bill, a hospital or a hospital employee who refuses to administer the emergency contraception to a victim who requests it would be subject to fines and potentially professional discipline.

The state is not a physician; it should not be mandating a course of treatment for any hospital and its employees, let alone all Wisconsin hospitals and their employees. In addition to the other atrocious results yesterday, essentially, the legislature also said that they know what is best medically for a victim of rape.  

In December, 40 Republicans and 1 Democrat found the courage to do the right thing and vote "no" on AB 377.  The final vote resulted in six fewer "no" votes than in December. Unbelievable! The legislators who changed their votes from "no" in December to "yes" on yesterday's vote were Suzanne Jeskewitz, a Republican from Menomonee Falls; John Murtha, a Republican from Baldwin; Kitty Rhodes, a Republican from Hudson; Robin Vos, a Republican from Racine; Steve Wieckert, a Republican from Appleton; and Mary Williams, a Republican from Medford. One Republican changed from "yes" in December to "no" yesterday—John Townsend from Fond du Lac.  

The other Republicans who voted "yes" on AB 377 include Brett Davis ( Oregon), J.A. "Doc" Hines ( Oxford), Dean Kaufert ( Neenah), Terry Moulton ( Chippewa Falls), Terry Musser ( Black River Falls), Lee Nerison (Westby), Al Ott (Forest Junction), Jeff Stone (Greendale), Gary Tauchen (Bonduel), and Jeff Wood ( Chippewa Falls). No Democrat changed his or her vote either way.  But one courageous Democrat, Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer from Manitowoc, cast the lone Democrat "no" vote both times . 

What happened in December and yesterday should send shock waves through conservatives in this state, especially when this bill and these votes are considered along with other bills that are currently being authored or introduced by supposedly conservative legislators.  It's certainly valid to ask, particularly in the Assembly, just who is in charge?

For those of you who are concerned about how your legislator voted, I suggest you find out who your legislator is if you don't know, then check the roll call vote on AB 377 for yourself, and then phone or e-mail your legislator and respectfully find out why he/she voted the way the record reflects and then offer your opinion of the vote.  Citizens holding legislators accountable are absolutely imperative in a representative government.  

As we continue to let our voices be heard--both before and after votes are taken-- we are not only making a positive difference, we are doing the right thing.  Being quiet and keeping our beliefs and opinions about important legislative matters to ourselves does nothing to help make the system better; rather, it contributes to the problem.  

A heartfelt thank you to all of you who called or wrote your legislators regarding this issue!  Please take a moment to do the "Thank you" or "I'm disappointed" follow up.  We appreciate your help and trust we can continue to count on your involvement as we head into the last 5 weeks of this legislative session's floor periods.

For Wisconsin Family Council, I’m Julaine Appling, reminding you the Prophet Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”