Contact: Mary Kay Culp, Kansans for Life, 913-406-4446

MEDIA ADVISORY, May 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is attributable to KFL State Executive Director, Mary Kay Culp:

From the statement: "The Kansas Senate had a real chance to end the long era of criminal post-viability abortions in Kansas, but state Sen. Jean Schodorf's Congressional ambitions overrode the needed override."

STATEMENT:

"The Kansas Senate voted today, 26-14, to override Gov. Mark Parkinson's wrong veto of pro-life bill HB 2115, and thus FAILED to reach the 27 votes needed.

"This is a tragedy for women and a welcome mat for late-term abortionists to set up shop again in Kansas.

"The Senators who voted against override of HB 2115 while claiming they 'dislike' late-term abortion have just invited late-term abortionists back into the state.

"Nebraska's LeRoy Carhart publicly stated his decision to relocate here was 'in flux' (AP 3-31-2010) due to the status of HB 2115. Now, he can freely return to Kansas.

"Sen. Jean Schodorf (R- Wichita) was the linchpin in upholding the governor's veto. Her vote against override shows she wants to be the abortion industry's candidate in the 4th district Congressional race.

"During Senate action today, Sen. Schodorf announced she was emailing an invitation to Kansans for Life and Planned Parenthood to meet with her to create a 'compromise bill.'

"Sen. Schodorf's 11th hour announcement was the height of hypocrisy as she has already supported this exact language in 2008 -- prior to her re-election. After she was elected, she voted AGAINST the provisions of HB 2115 in 2009, as she did again today.

"Back in 2006, Sen. Schodorf voted for AND against SB 528 -- a different measure than HB 2115, but still aimed at correcting KDHE abortion reporting abuse. (See her voting record on this issue at end of this report).

"There is no conflict in HB 2115 that needs compromise discussion, for these EXACT provisions have passed the House and Senate for 3 years in a row. Kansas lawmakers agree that the abortion reporting law needs to be obeyed and women need the right to sue if criminal abortions are neither prevented nor prosecuted

"Sen. Schodorf's short email to KFL was a publicity stunt, designed to create a campaign image of her as thoughtfully conflicted about HB 2115, as she runs far to the left of her fellow Republicans in the 4th District primary.

"HB 2115 was the fifth attempt to end late-term abortion reporting abuse as enabled by the Kansas health department. Every year, those measures were vetoed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, and now Parkinson.

"Post-viability abortions fell in Kansas last year, following the closing of the Wichita clinic of George Tiller after his murder, and enactment of an ultrasound law. However, it is worrisome that four abortionists who worked for Tiller still have active Kansas medical licenses.

"The Kansas House successfully overrode the governor’s veto of HB 2115 on Monday, May 3, 2010.

"The Senate had a real chance to end the long era of criminal post-viability abortions in Kansas, but state Sen. Jean Schodorf's Congressional ambitions overrode the needed override. (Schodorf's district is in Wichita.)

"We thank all those Kansas state House members and Senators who supported the override of the veto on HB 2115 and know that pro-lifers will show their appreciation at the polls in August and November.

"(Statewide candidates including the Governor and all state House members are up for election this year--state Senators in 2012, with one exception. Senator Terrie Huntington will face re-election this year since she was appointed to her seat in 2010 to replace a senator who retired mid-term.)"

Here are the 25 Republicans and 1 Democrat Senators who upheld good governance by voting FOR override:

Steve Abrams (R-Arkansas City), Pat Apple (R-Louisburg), Jim Barnett (R-Emporia), Karin Brownlee (R-Olathe), Terry Bruce (R-Hutchinson), Jeff Colyer (R-Overland Park), Les Donovan (R-Wichita), Jay Emler (R-Lindsborg), Tim Huelskamp (R-Fowler), Dick Kelsey (R-Goddard), Janis Lee (D-Kensington), Julia Lynn (R-Olathe), Bob Marshall (R-Fort Scott), Ty Masterson (R-Andover), Carolyn McGinn (R-Sedgwick), Steve Morris (R-Hugoton), Ralph Ostmeyer (R-Grinnel), Tim Owens (R-Overland Park), Mike Petersen (R-Wichita), Mary Pilcher-Cook (R- Shawnee), Dennis Pyle (R-Hiawatha), Roger Reitz (R-Manhattan), Derek Schmidt (R-Independence), Mark Taddiken (R-Clifton), Dwayne Umbarger (R-Thayer), Susan Wagle (R-Wichita).

Here are the 6 Republican and 8 Democrat Senators who want late-term abortionists welcomed back into business:

Pete Brungardt (R- Salina), Oletha Faust-Goudeau (D- Wichita), Marci Francisco (D- Lawrence), David Haley (D- Kansas City), Anthony Hensley (D- Topeka), Tom Holland (D- Baldwin City), Terrie Huntington (R- Fairway), Laura Kelly (D- Topeka), Kelly Kultala (D- Kansas City), Vicki Schmidt (R- Topeka), Chris Steineger (D- Kansas City), Jean Schodorf (R- Wichita), Ruth Teichman (R- Stafford) and John Vratil (R- Leawood).

SCHODORF VOTING RECORD ON PRO-LIFE BILLS
TO FIX KDHE/ABORTION REPORTING ABUSE

2006
2/23/06 Schodorf voted FOR SB 528.
5/3/06 Schodorf voted AGAINST conference committee report supporting SB 528
5/23/06 Schodorf voted AGAINST override of vetoed SB 528

2008
4/3/2008 Schodorf voted FOR Motion to concur on SB 389

2009
4/3/2009 Schodorf voted AGAINST SB 218

2010
3/30/2010 Schodorf voted AGAINST HB2115
5/5/2010 Schodorf voted AGAINST motion to override vetoed HB2115

For more information, see www.kfl.org.