Even though he is pro-life GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) is not comfortable with a component of the new Texas law that bans abortion and deputizes private citizens to enforce the ban.
“I’m pro-life, but what I don’t like to see is this idea of every citizen being able to tattle, sue an Uber driver, as you said, be deputized to enforce this abortion law to whatever they want,” Rep. Kinzinger said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“I think, if you’re going to do something on abortion, it’s a debate that we should have that’s open and not just opening people up to be sued for any bit part in that process,” he added.
The controversial law banning abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy took effect on September 1 after the Supreme Court and a federal appeals court did not rule on attempts to block it.
Instead of facing a criminal punishment for conducting abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy, the state law created a so-called “private right of action” to enforce the restriction.
In an unprecedented move, the government empowers private citizens to sue Texas-based abortion clinics, doctors, and anyone who aids in an abortion. If successful, the petitioner, who does not have to reside in Texas, will receive a $10,000 award and the cost for attorney’s fees.
