" A law under consideration in South Dakota would expand the definition of "justifiable homicide" to include killings that are intended to prevent harm to a fetus—a move that could make it legal to kill doctors who perform abortions. The Republican-backed legislation, House Bill 1171, has passed out of committee on a nine-to-three party-line vote, and is expected to face a floor vote in the state's GOP-dominated House of Representatives soon. "

"Sen. John Thune opposes the embryonic research process and votes against it on the Senate floor. He says adult stem cells should be used for research instead. Sen. Tim Johnson and Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin support the research."