Senators Debate: Which Is Easier To Get In Tennessee, An Abortion Or A Vasectomy?

Outspoken Chattanooga Senator Todd Gardenhire is suggesting abortions might be easier to get than vasectomies in Tennessee.

The remark came Tuesday night during a testy hearing over a proposed requirement that women wait at least 48 hours before getting an abortion.

Sen. Sara Kyle (D-Memphis), not Gardenhire, was the first to directly compare vasectomy and abortion requirements.

She raised the issue in an exchange with abortion opponents. She described it as discrimination to require women to wait for an abortion but not to require men for a vasectomy.

“So I’m just asking that what’s good for the goose could be good for the gander,” Kyle said.

That prompted a tense exchange between Kyle and Tennessee Right to Life attorney Will Brewer. 

“Tennessee Right to Life does not deal with vasectomies,” Brewer said, “but my personal stance is I would welcome a 48-hour wait for vasectomies.”

“Really?” Kyle replied.

Later, Gardenhire said men already wait that long — if not by law, but as a practical matter. Citing personal experience, he said it takes three or four weeks to schedule a vasectomy.

“I want to promise you that when you start talking to a doctor about them whacking on you down there, you want to wait awhile and think about it,” he said.

Kyle said that was too much information.

The waiting period bill now heads to the Senate floor for a final vote. Companion legislation is also making its way through the House.