Friday, February 10, 2012

A leading anti-abortion legislator is blocking a push to enact a constitutional amendment that would ban on abortion in Kansas.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lance Kinzer's decision highlights a split among abortion opponents over tactics, and it frustrated the group advocating the "personhood" proposal.

Kinzer, an Olathe Republican, said Friday he won't have a Judiciary Committee hearing on the proposed constitutional amendment, which is sponsored by 25 fellow House members.

He said he doesn't believe the proposed constitutional amendment would withstand a court challenge and could lead to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could hamper abortion opponents' attempts to enact new restrictions.

But the Personhood Kansas Committee, the Wichita-area group promoting the proposed amendment, strongly disagrees. Chairman Bruce Garren said he's surprised Kinzer won't agree to a hearing.