INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana lawmakers have delayed a special session scheduled for next week during which Republicans expected to take up legislation that could revamp the state’s abortion law.
The session, which was initially scheduled for July 6 and expected to last a couple days, will now start July 25 and likely last multiple weeks, said Indiana House Republicans spokeswoman Erin Wittern in a statement.
The decision was made by Gov. Eric Holcomb, House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray.
“In light of the historic Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, legislative leaders are anticipating a multi-week special session versus one or two days,” Wittern said in a statement. “Due to this extended session and to minimize logistical issues, leaders worked with the governor to push the start date to July 25.”
Last week, Holcomb had initially signed a proclamation calling the Legislature into a special session starting July 6 to take up the tax refund proposal, but state law allows legislators to take up any subject during a maximum 40-day period, The Associated Press reported.
But that was before the Supreme Court stripped away women’s constitutional protections for abortion in a landmark ruling that will likely lead to abortion bans in roughly half of the country, including Indiana.
Anti-abortion lawmakers in Indiana had previously decided to hold off on major action regarding abortion restrictions during this year’s regular session that ended in March while awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision.
Now they anticipate that the Legislature will “take action to further protect life and support new and expectant mothers” during the special session and address the state’s budget surplus and provide financial relief for Hoosiers, including potentially a $225 tax refund per person, according to the state GOP.
The General Assembly will vet bills through the full legislative process, including committee hearings and public testimony, Wittern said in the statement.
Rep. Ryan Lauer, R-Columbus, said Wednesday that he believes the session was postponed to allow legislators to adjust their schedule and prepare for a multi-week session.
“One day is certainly not enough time to go through the full legislative process on such an important subject,” Lauer said. “…My guess is that the date is a reflection of making sure that legislators have enough time to work and adjust their schedules.”
