Requiring Vasectomies in Texas--Why this Idea Was Proposed

Texas Representatives Marisa Marquez and Naomi Gonzalez said that the state should require that men receive vasectomies. Not all men mind you; just the ones who are promiscuous. Both women are Democrats, and yes, there is a reason behind this vasectomy requirement. They believe that if the state of Texas is going to require that women receive pre-abortion sonograms, then a certain group of men must get the vasectomies.

Of course this issue did not emerge out of the blue, but was due to a certain conservative bill in the House of Representatives that would make sure that women seeking an abortion would have to have a sonogram. Not only that but the woman would be forced to hear the heartbeat of the fetus, as well as hear information concerning the fetus’s organs. The women do have the choice of saying no thank you to the information.

Marquez and Gonzalez came up with a proposal that is truly unique in that it involves the man who impregnated the woman who is seeking an abortion. It actually holds him accountable by seeking a court order which would require the man to get a vasectomy, if his past consisted of being the father of at least two children with other women.

Marquez said the following about this amendment, “If you do believe that government should be making medical mandates, then we ought to have this amendment and divide responsibility evenly. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”

The amendment was tabled.

The sonogram bill caused much discussion among Democrats and Republicans. The Democrats maintained that it constituted a huge intrusion by government on women. And the Republicans saw it as a way to stop women from having abortions in the first place. This bill gained tentative approval in the House.

Gonzalez and Marquez were very realistic and knew that their amendment would not gain approval. They had another goal in mind, which is based on the principle encompassed in the words of Gonzalez, “At the end of it, no one likes to be told what to do with their body.”

So, in the state of Texas, requiring vasectomies is out.

Sources: The source article appeared in the El Paso Times and the Las Cruces Sun-News.com.