Thanks for stopping by! Here are the topics for today’s column:

• Laws Struck Down
• House Joint Resolution 22
• One More Thing

LAWS STRUCK DOWN:

The Daily Montanan is reporting that Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike Menahan struck down two abortion bills passed into law in 2023 by the Montana Legislature and signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte, saying they violated the constitutional rights of women by subjecting those on Medicaid to onerous, unnecessary and possibly dangerous steps in order to receive an abortion.

The bills were House Bill 544 and House Bill 862. The Daily Montanan also reported the bills would have barred abortions by any other provider than a doctor, eliminating advanced care providers. It would have required a pre-authorization approval, a physical examination, and “extensive supporting documentation” including a provider having to justify why the procedure is “medically necessary.” Some of that documentation included personal questions including how many pregnancies the woman had previously had — something not required of other patients, including other Medicaid recipients who chose to carry the pregnancy to term. HB 862 would have prohibited abortions for Medicaid patients unless the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest, or the mother was “in danger of death.”

The MAGA-controlled Montana Legislature is well-known for passing bills that go against the Constitution. Then they get upset with the judges who find the bills unconstitutional. Meanwhile, the taxpayers pay for the state to defend these bills. 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22:

In case you missed it, Montana State Representative Lukas Schubert (R-Kalispell) introduced HJ 22, a Joint Resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the State of Montana acknowledging the Kingship of Jesus Christ. The resolution has 16 cosponsors. 

The resolution did miss the deadline for general bill transmittal. 

Here is part of the language contained in the resolution:

WHEREAS, Christ said all power is given to me in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18), not only spiritual, but civil, including over this great state; and 

WHEREAS, Christ is said to have received power, and glory, and a kingdom so that all people, tribes, and tongues shall serve Him (Daniel 7:14), including this great state; and 

WHEREAS, the Father is said to give to Christ all nations and the utmost parts of the earth for his inheritance and possession, and, in response, people and their leaders are called to learn and receive instruction from Him (Psalms 2:8, 2:10), including those in this great state; 

WHEREAS, Christ is named the Ruler of Kings on earth and the King of Kings and presented with crown and royal robe (Revelation 1:5, 17:14, 19:12-13, 19:16); and 

WHEREAS, the first constitution of this great state begins with the words, “We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty, in order to secure the advantages of a State government, do … ordain and establish this constitution.” 

THEREFORE, we desire an acknowledgement of the Lord Jesus Christ’s status as the rightful ruler of nations. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: That Montana acknowledges the kingship of Jesus Christ over all the world so that this great state may at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace, and harmony. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State transmit a copy of this resolution to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana, the President of the United States, the Governor, and each member of the Montana Congressional Delegation.

I believe that religion is a personal matter. I am a Christian and I believe in God. I don’t believe our state legislature should promote one religion over others, which this resolution does. Every person should be able to practice their religious beliefs (or not) without government intervention. (See Pilgrims)

Our elected officials in this state and country are getting crazier and crazier. 

ONE MORE THING:

I’m confused about the ‘Canada as the 51st state thing’ because, if they succeeded, they’d be adding 40 million new citizens who overwhelmingly hate Trump and hate MAGA, flipping the House and Senate. Right? (Source)

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