Mar 14, 2023 - Politics & Policy

Arkansas House OKs memorial for unborn children

Worth Sparkman

Rep. Mary Bentley (R-Perryville) is a sponsor of SB307. Photo: Screenshot courtesy the Arkansas Legislature

The Arkansas House of Representatives on Tuesday passed SB307, a bill to create a "monument commemorating unborn children aborted during the era of Roe v. Wade" on the state Capitol grounds.

State of play: The legislation allows for the creation of the Monument to Unborn Children Display Fund, which would use gifts, donations and grants to pay for the memorial.

What they're saying: "From a Christian perspective this has the look and feel of spiking the football," Rep. Steve Unger (R-Sprindale) said in speaking against the bill.

"It looks like gloating. The Jesus that I know, who was called [a] friend of sinners, never did that."

The other side: "It is not a poke in the eye," Rep. Cindy Crawford (R-Fort Smith) said to fellow members of the House before the vote.

"It is a 'God forgive us for what we have done.'"

Context: The bill passed with 60 for, 19 against, 10 not voting and 11 voting present. Unger and Rep. Jeremiah Moore (R-Clarendon) were the only two Republicans who opposed the measure.

What's next: The bill returns to the Senate without amendments.

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Arkansas House OKs memorial for unborn children

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