Reis Calls on Citizens to Call the Governor to Veto Bill That Could Provide Funds for Abortions

State Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) is calling on his constituents to join him in forcefully urging Governor Bruce Rauner to veto a bill that would vastly expand access to elective, taxpayer-funded abortions in Illinois. Reis voted NO on House Bill 40 back in April, but the bill narrowly passed the House and Senate and was transferred to the Governor’s desk this week.

(DAVID REIS)

Reis cited a moral imperative to oppose the bill and pointed out that the potential cost to the State of Illinois could be in the tens of millions of dollars.“First of all, I’m a husband, a father, and a child of and believer in God,” Reis said. “My opposition to this bill goes to the core of who I am. The people of my district have overwhelmingly expressed their opposition to taxpayer-funded abortions. They believe, like I do, that a life begins at conception and no one has a right to take that life, let alone use taxpayer dollars to pay for it.”

During a lengthy and passionate debate on HB 40 on the House floor, the bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) admitted that the bill would expand the use of Medicaid to pay for elective abortions, including partial birth abortion procedures into the third trimester of pregnancy.

The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) has estimated that provision of the bill could result in an extra $60 million of Medicaid spending to cover abortions per year. Aside from the potential yearly cost, Reis notes that HB 40 allows for unprecedented taxpayer funding of what he calls ‘barbaric’ abortive practices at the same time Illinois currently owes $16 billion in unpaid bills to medical providers and other vendors.

“During my lifetime our laws have moved from allowing abortions in the 1st trimester, then the 2nd, then the 3rd trimester, and now we allow partial birth abortion and the Democrats want the taxpayers to pay for it,” Reis said. “This bill is an assault on the unborn and an affront to taxpayers. HB 40 provides taxpayer-funded abortions on demand and the barbaric practice of partial birth abortion at every stage of pregnancy. I believe the people of my district should join me and call the Governor and tell him he must immediately veto HB 40.”

Reis is urging his constituents to contact Governor Rauner’s office to tell him to immediately veto HB 40. The Governor’s office can be reached by calling 217-782-0244 or 312-814-2121.