Nine legislators lined up behind anti-abortion activists on Monday to promote new legislation they plan to introduce to expand Idaho's existing informed-consent law for abortion. The new measure would, among other things, more strongly require doctors to give women detailed information about fetal development and abortion risks.

"This piece of legislation is exciting because it's bringing forth legislative solutions to problems that face the state," said Sen. Skip Brandt, R-Kooskia, the bill's main sponsor along with Rep. Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls.

Rep. Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, said, "We must all stand together and be about the business of strengthening the American family."

Julie Lynde of the Cornerstone Institute said her organization wants to "restore dignity to Idaho's pregnant mothers." She also decried another anti-abortion group's lawsuit against the state, which faulted Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and others for not more rigorously following the existing informed-consent law, signaling a rift in the pro-life community. In fact, Lynde's press release directly criticized pro-life activist David Ripley of Idaho Chooses Life for going after Kempthorne, but before passing out the release, she blacked out his name.

She and Kerry Uhlenkott of Right to Life of Idaho said their groups aren't involved in Ripley's lawsuit.

Lee Flinn of the Idaho Women's Network said, "Physicians in Idaho, I believe, are already giving informed consent for all medical procedures, including abortion."

Asked about the timing - every state legislative seat is up for election this year - Flinn said, "Tis the season."

The group of lawmakers standing in silent support of the new, yet-to-be-introduced bill also included Reps. Mary Lou Shepherd, D-Prichard; Chuck Cuddy, D-Orofino; Bert Stevenson, R-Rupert; and Sens. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston; Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth; and Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa.

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