Today's the day Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius must decide whether to sign or veto abortion legislation that puts new requirements on late-term abortion providers like George Tiller.
Sebelius has shown no qualms about vetoing such legislation in years past, but this is a different year for the Democrat. She's faced intense scrutiny from anti-abortion groups as she awaits a final vote in the U.S. Senate on her nomination to head the Dept. of Health and Human Services.
Another veto would just amplify their criticism, at a time when Sebelius isn't looking for a political fight.
Anti-abortion groups have speculated that Sebelius hoped to dodge the bill by being confirmed first, leaving it to Gov.-in-waiting Mark Parkinson to sign or veto the bill.
But with time ticking away, it's looking more likely that the U.S. Senate won't vote in time for Sebelius to avoid the bill. Will she sign it? Veto it? If she does nothing, the bill becomes law without her signature.
The legislation would require late-term abortion providers to report to state health officials the specific medical diagnoses used the justify the otherwise illegal procedure. Late-term abortions are prohibited unless necessary to save the life of the women or prevent a serious medical threat. Many lawmakers say they think Tiller should have to report just what medical condition required the procedure.
The measure would also require abortion providers to include in the written information they give women prior to an abortion that the procedure will eliminate a "whole, separate, unique, living human being."
The bill also contains some slight changes to current restrictions on late-term abortion, and a new definition of partial-birth abortion which matches federal law.
