NC governor vetoes bill prohibiting abortions based on race or genetic disability
The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Denise Burke regarding North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the Human Life Non-Discrimination Act, a bill that protects unborn children against discrimination based on their race or the presence of Down syndrome:
“Every innocent life is worthy of protection. No one should be discriminated against because of his or her race, disability, or genetic makeup. This is especially true of unborn children who are being marked for death simply because someone has determined they are the wrong race, or because a medical test has indicated they might have genetic disabilities, like Down syndrome. Children shouldn’t have to pass a genetic test to earn the right to be born. Apparently, Gov. Cooper does not agree. While we are deeply disappointed by his veto of this life-saving legislation, we are grateful to the many supporters in the North Carolina General Assembly for their stand to protect children in the womb.”
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.