Annie Kuster: “As an adoption attorney for 25 years, I worked with more than 300 birth mothers making the most personal, private…”

“As an adoption attorney for 25 years, I worked with more than 300 birth mothers making the most personal, private decisions of their entire lives. They consulted their families, their loved ones, their doctors, but not one of these birth mothers looked to the government to make this choice for them. On January 1 of this year, sweeping abortion restrictions took effect in my home State of New Hampshire; in fact, the first abortion ban ever to pass the New Hampshire legislature and to be signed into law by our Governor, Chris Sununu, making it illegal to terminate a pregnancy after 24 weeks, with no exceptions; no exceptions for rape, for incest, or for fatal fetal anomaly; and requiring every person seeking an abortion to undergo an invasive ultrasound. This new law places a felony penalty and fine of up to $100,000 for doctors who violate the law, making New Hampshire a less desirable place for doctors to work, and for patients to seek care. Granite State women and families are already feeling the impact of this harmful, regressive abortion ban. Earlier this year, a constituent of mine, the daughter of a dear friend, reached out to tell me her story and how this law is impacting families like hers across New Hampshire. Madam Speaker, 38-year-old Lisa, has a beautiful 1-year-old daughter at home and she is now pregnant with twins.…”