AZ Gov. Ducey signs legislation protecting unborn children from discrimination
The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Denise Burke regarding Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s signing Tuesday of SB 1457, a bill sponsored by Sen. Nancy Barto that limits taxpayer funding for abortion, ensures that unborn children cannot be discriminated against for reasons of genetic abnormalities, and implements reasonable regulations for at-home use of abortion-inducing drugs:
“Every unborn life is valuable, precious, and worthy of protection. Senate Bill 1457 includes several commonsense measures that will protect innocent human life and the health and well-being of pregnant women. No one should be discriminated against because of his or her genetic makeup, especially unborn children who are marked for death simply because a medical test has indicated they might carry a genetic anomaly, like Down syndrome. Furthermore, no woman should be exposed to the documented health risks of using abortion-inducing chemicals at home without the direct supervision of a medical professional. Abortion not only ends the life of an innocent child, but it also often leaves mothers physically and emotionally scarred. This important legislation advances Arizona’s fundamental interests by protecting human life and enhancing maternal health. We thank Sen. Barto for championing this legislation and commend Gov. Ducey for signing this pro-life, pro-woman bill into law.”
Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.
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ABOUT Denise Burke
Denise Burke serves as senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, where she is a member of the Center for Public Policy. In this role, her efforts are directed toward protecting life from conception to natural death and defending the conscience rights of health care professionals. Prior to joining ADF, Burke served as vice president of legal affairs for Americans United for Life. She began her career with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, United States Air Force, both on active duty and in the reserve. Rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, she served as an instructor at the USAF JAG School and on the editorial board of the Air Force Law Review. In response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Burke volunteered to serve again on active duty. In recognition of her service, the Air Force awarded her the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. A member of the state bar of Texas, Burke is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and multiple federal district and appellate courts. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Maryland, followed by her Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University.