U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) introduced a bill this week to protect surrogate mothers from being forced to have abortions as part of terms set in surrogacy contracts.
Ogles’ Preventing Forced Abortions Act of 2024 would prohibit federal courts from enforcing any part of a surrogacy contract that requires a surrogate mother to get an abortion.
The bill would also prevent an intended parent from refusing to pay the surrogate mother any agreed compensation if she refuses to get an abortion at their request.
The bill text reads:
A Federal court—
(1) may not enforce any provision in a surrogacy contract that requires the surrogate mother to have an abortion at the request of any intended parent, party to a surrogacy contract, or agent of any party to a surrogacy contract.
(2) shall enforce any clause requiring the payment of a surrogate mother of any compensation agreed to in a surrogacy contract, notwithstanding any provision that requires the surrogate mother to have an abortion at the request of any intended parent, party to a surrogacy contract, or agent of any party to a surrogacy contract, including any provision providing for—
(A) liquidated damages based on a refusal to get an abortion;
(B) reduction of payment based on a refusal to get an abortion; or
(C) otherwise requiring the surrogate mother to have an abortion at the request of any party or agent of any party to a surrogacy contract.
“No woman should ever be forced to have an abortion. My legislation would protect women from this trauma by prohibiting federal courts from enforcing any clause in a surrogacy contract that requires a woman to get an abortion if she does not want to,” Ogles said.
“It is barbaric that there are laws on the books in some states that go so far as to require surrogate mothers to have abortions against their will. Abortions are dangerous, and forced abortions are traumatizing to the mental and physical health of women. It is not only pro-life but pro-woman to stop forced abortions,” Ogles added.
Twelve of Ogles’ Republican colleagues in the U.S. House – Representatives Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09), Greg Pence (R-IN-06), Keith Self (R-TX-03), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Mary Miller (R-IL-15), Gary Palmer (R-AL-06), Jeff Duncan (R-SC-03), Doug Lamborn (R-CO-05), Greg Steube (R-FL-17), Barry Moore (R-AL-02), Alex Mooney (R-WV-02), and Lauren Boebert (R-CO-03) – cosponsored his bill.
Ogles’ bill is also supported by many conservative and pro-life groups, including Heritage Action, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, CatholicVote, the National Right to Life Committee, the Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, Americans United For Life, the Family Policy Alliance, Students For Life Action, March for Life, and the Ethics & Public Policy Center’s HHS Accountability Project.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Andy Ogles” by Andy Ogles.
Might make it through the House but never through the Senate. Too much money and lobbyists who promote abortions. A big dollar industry.