Monday, during a wide-ranging interview with Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "Mobile Mornings," U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) voiced his approval of the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision.
The decision overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which made elective abortion on demand available throughout the country. However, the Dobbs decision takes that authority away from the federal government and allows the individual states to determine abortion laws.
Carl said Alabama had an opportunity to build around the court's decision to create a policy that would encourage people to move to the state. However, he also suggested the state look at how it handles abortion on rape and incest.
"Some of the stuff I was reading this morning -- the Biden administration was talking about actually opening up federal abortion centers on federal property, so the state laws can't affect that," Carl said. "I totally agree with what this says -- the Dobbs lawsuit. It said it is the state's responsibility to make those laws up -- the local leadership, the local elected officials, are responsible for making that decision. You don't want California or New York or Vermont making decisions on what we do when it comes to abortion in Alabama. I don't.
"Let's take Alabama values, let's take Alabama morals, and let's build around that because we may put something together that will encourage some people to move here and will want to live among peaceful people as we are versus somewhere like New York, where they have abortions up until the day of birth."
Carl then suggested the state government needs to revisit rape and incest exceptions.
"I honestly think the state will address one of the issues, which will be the rape and incest issue," Carl said. "I think that's something the state and leadership have got to slow down and look at very closely. And each state is going to write their own. But the Biden administration is talking about setting up their own health care plan where you can literally go onto federal property. I don't think it can be done, by the way. Don't get excited. But you know, they're talking about the extreme."
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com.
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