House Bill 481, commonly referred to as the Heartbeat Bill, passed in the Georgia House and the Senate. Now it will go back to the House for approval with Senate Amendments.

With some specified exceptions, the bill outlaws an abortion when the doctor can detect the heartbeat of the unborn child. The votes in the House and Senate were both along party lines.

Republicans voted to protect the innocent. Democrats voted to allow the killing of the innocent.

I checked the votes of Democrat legislators from Southwest Georgia. What I saw was disturbing. 

On the Senate side, Democrat Ed Harbison Senate District 15 voted No and Democrat Freddie Powell Sims Senate District 12 voted No. 

On the House side, Democrat Winfred Dukes House District 154 Voted No. Democrat Camia Hopson House District 153 Voted No. Democrat Patty Bentley House District 139 had an excused absence from voting. 

All of these Democrats are African-American. The African-American constituency, especially in the church-going rural South, has been unapologetically opposed to abortion. 

I have worshiped with African-American congregations. We have worked together for our community. I have never heard a church member or pastor imply that abortion was an option. 

They all recognize that an expecting mother is carrying one of their children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, or friends. They all know that God does not make mistakes and the pregnancy is no accident. They all recognize that this child in the mother’s womb is a precious gift that has a heritage and will one day leave a legacy. 

Every single Democrat in the Georgia Legislature from Southwest Georgia, with the possible exception of Representative Patty Bentley, voted in direct opposition to their constituency. How is it that elected Democrats can throw these foundational beliefs to the side of the road to follow a party line? 

They know that their constituents are pro-life. They hear the messages from the pulpit and in Bible Study week after week. They know what God says. They also know how they voted.

Instead of following the prophetic voice of righteousness, they followed the party line of wretchedness. My African-American friends, this is not merely a political issue. 

No matter what race you are, if Patty Bentley (404-656-0287), Winfred Dukes (404-656-0126), or Camia Hopson (404-656-0287), represents you in the Georgia House of Representatives, call them and tell them to stand up and vote for life.

You have an influence. You can stand for justice and righteousness by making a phone call.

Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

Democrat Stacey Abrams called HB 481, “this abominable bill.” HB 481 is not an abominable bill. 

The cruel killing of unborn babies is the abomination – and Democrats in Southwest Georgia voted to keep it going.

Your vote is being taken for granted. For the sake of your unborn children, do not let them keep using you. 

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