The Republican governor of Montana<\/a> signed five pieces of pro-life legislation into law on Wednesday, stating, \u201cMontanans sent us to Helena to boldly defend life, not send their tax dollars to abortion clinics<\/a>.\u201d <\/p>\n

Gov. Greg Gianforte added<\/a>: \u201cMontanans\u2019 hard-earned money should not be used by the government to fund elective abortions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis package of pro-family, pro-child, pro-life bills<\/a> will make a lasting difference in Montana. We couldn\u2019t have done it alone, and I just want to thank the thousands of Montanans throughout the state who made their voices heard and made today possible,\u201d the governor said. <\/p>\n

The legislation strengthens Montana law to prevent taxpayer dollars from paying for elective abortions. <\/p>\n

According to the governor\u2019s office, \u201cthe package defends life, protecting babies born alive following a botched abortion, restricting dismemberment abortion of babies, and prohibiting the abortion of viable babies, unless necessary to protect the life<\/a> of the mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Proud to stand with Montanans on the steps of the people\u2019s house to defend life, support children, and strengthen families. pic.twitter.com\/mGvSSnd54c<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) May 3, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
One of the bills signed into law on Wednesday, SB 154, sponsored by Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, \u201cclarifies the right to privacy in the Montana Constitution does not mean the right to an abortion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSenator Regier\u2019s Senate Bill 154 was one of the most important bills brought this session. For years in Montana, abortion activists have used the cloak of a shaky legal interpretation to advance their pro-abortion agenda<\/a>. That stops today. No more,\u201d Gianforte said. <\/p>\n
There are five other pro-life bills awaiting action from Gianforte, according to the governor\u2019s office. <\/p>\n
Pro-life advocates applauded the move, praising the governor for standing up for life. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe thank Gov. Gianforte and legislative leaders for establishing new protections for life and support for women that mirror the compassion of their constituents,\u201d Adam Schwend, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America\u2019s Western regional director, said in a statement<\/a>. <\/p>\n
\u201c[Wednesday\u2019s] advances in Montana are a part of an ongoing post-Dobbs trend to advance human rights in the states and provide mothers with more resources during pregnancy and after a child is born,\u201d he added. \u201cThis progress led by bold state leaders is saving tens of thousands of lives across our nation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dobbs is a reference to Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health Organization, the Supreme Court case decided last year that effectively overturned Roe v. Wade<\/a> and gave states more say in crafting their own abortion laws.<\/p>\n
Jessica Anderson, executive director of Heritage Action for America, the grassroots arm of The Heritage Foundation, applauded the governor\u2019s actions. (The Daily Signal is the news outlet of The Heritage Foundation.)<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the Left pushes for a radical pro-abortion, anti-child agenda across the nation, Gov. Greg Gianforte decided to push back, signing five bills aimed at defending unborn lives in Montana,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cMontana has continued the nationwide momentum of states championing pro-life and pro-family values in a time where they\u2019re needed the most, including defending babies born alive after botched abortions and protecting the rights of medical providers who refuse to perform abortions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThese bills make clear the absolute truth that every life is worth saving, especially those of innocent unborn children,\u201d Anderson said. <\/p>\n
But pro-abortion groups accused Gianforte of putting women\u2019s health at risk. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese laws have the potential to harm thousands of Montanans and people across our region who have already been forced to travel to Montana for care,\u201d claimed Martha Fuller, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana president and CEO. Fuller\u2019s statement does not address specifics about the bills that would jeopardize women\u2019s health. <\/p>\n
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Our thoughts on today\u2019s bills signed into law. Abortion is still legal and safe in Montana, and we\u2019ll never stop advocating for the rights and health of all Montanans.#mtpol<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/PktsOBQgcx<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 PP Advocates of MT (@PPAdvocatesMT) May 3, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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