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Women seeking an abortion will have to wait at least 24 hours, and perhaps longer over a weekend, before the procedure can be performed. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, several women who have had abortions made the case for and against the waiting period.

Women seeking an abortion could soon have to make a second trip past clinic protestors. The first to be counseled, the second 24 hours or more later, for the procedure. Sponsor Jennifer Sullivan was asked tough questions at the bills first committee hearing.

Rep. Cynthia Stafford of Miami asked: “ The victims of rape, incest, or human trafficking. Must they wait 24 hours?” “That is not addressed in the bill” responed Sullivan.

Next Kristen Jacobs (D-Broward County) asked: “If a man wants to have a vasectomy, do they have to wait 24 hours?” “No they do not” replied Sullivan.

Pastor Pam Olsen countered in her support of the wait. “24 hours. We make people wait 24 hours, actually I think its three days to get married, to buy a hand gun” says the Tallahassee pastor.

Three women told lawmakers about their personal experiences.

Sherri Daume is a Pregnancy Counselor “I remember I was shaking all over and terrified about what was going to happen.”

Lisa Adams had a more dire story. I’ve tried to kill myself. I’ve had inappropriate relationships. I’ve had problems with drugs and alcohol.”

But Barbara DeVane, reprsenting the National Organization for Women says her long ago abrotion left no mental scars.  “I’m probably the happiest woman you will ever see. I’m hardly ever depressed. I’m not an alcoholic” said DeVane.

Georgia to the north has a 24 hour wait. Alabama to the west has a 48 hour wait.”

Sponsor Jennifer Sullivan, the youngest woman in the legislature, says the wait will keep you women for being bullied into a quick procedure “By  parents, by their boyfriends, by their friends.”

And afterwards supporters prayed with Sullivan for the bills passage.

“Strengthen her”

The legislation has two more committee assignments before a floor vote. The Senate version has yet to be heard. The 24 hour wait is one of three abortion bills this year. Another would ban the procedure altogether, while the third requires doctors to have admitting privileges at local hospitals.