INDIANAPOLIS — After its passage in committee Tuesday, the Indiana Senate on Wednesday officially adopted the committee report on the controversial bill to restrict abortion, setting the stage for floor debate to begin Thursday.
The motion to accept the report prevailed in a 35-9 vote along party lines, with six senators not voting. The senators that did not vote include Eric Bassler, Tim Lanane, Eddie Melton, Ryan Mishler, Chip Perfect and Lonnie Randolph.
Senators Phil Boots, Jean Breaux, J.D. Ford, Michael Griffin, David Niezgodski, Rodney Pol, Fady Qaddoura, Greg Taylor and Shelli Yoder all voted no.
Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, tried unsuccessfully to get the Senate to adopt a minority report. The minority report included amendments offered by the Democrats that were ignored by Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, yesterday..
Taylor then explained his vote, saying that the committee did not listen to him or, more importantly, to the people. The 61 people who testified over the last two days all opposed the bill.
“I’m offended,” said Taylor. “This is the body of the people.”
He then criticized those who sided with Bray.
“The chair of the committee decided he was not going to hear amendments that we offered during the committee,” said Taylor. “You don’t care about the minority; you care about power. And that’s exactly what you did today by denying my opportunity to speak today.”
The Senate will continue debate and consider amendments during its second reading at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
