KS Legislature overrides governor's veto, enacts protections for the unborn, mothers
The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Denise Burke regarding the Kansas Senate’s vote Monday, following the House’s lead, to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of HB 2749, a bill designed to better inform better support programs for mothers and their children, advance medical research, and protect the health of women by ensuring that the reasons why a woman chooses abortion are reported:
“Women deserve real health care that supports them during pregnancy and provides alternatives to the grave risks that abortion poses to women’s physical and psychological health. We commend the Kansas Legislature for enacting this important bill—and overriding the governor’s misguided veto—which requires medical facilities to keep written records of all abortions performed, including the reason the abortion was carried out. This information advances maternal health and safety by enabling responsible medical and public health decision-making based on accurate statistical data. Confidential and reliable abortion reporting promotes better health outcomes for women and will help the state assess the need for abortion alternatives and supportive programs for women and their children.”
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.