Pennsylvania Republicans Are Close to Banning Abortion in the State

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://rewirenewsgroup.com/article/2022/01/31/pennsylvania-republicans-are-close-to-banning-abortion-in-the-state/

As we anticipate the end of Roe v. Wade, some states (see: California, Illinois, and New Jersey) are rallying to protect the right to abortion access, while others are rushing to do the opposite.

Last week, Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced a permanent anti-abortion constitutional amendment and also moved to defund reproductive health care for low-income Pennsylvanians.

The proposed amendment, SB 956, establishes fetal “personhood” and denies a constitutional right to abortion in the state. According to the amendment: “The policy of Pennsylvania is to protect the life of every unborn child from conception to birth, to the extent permitted by the Federal Constitution.”

If passed, abortion restrictions in the state could no longer be challenged under the state constitution, limiting avenues for pregnant Pennsylvanians seeking relief from the courts. Instead, they’ll be criminalized at even higher rates. That could mean being incarcerated for having a miscarriage or even trying to have a child via in vitro fertilization. All bets are off when it comes to fetal personhood, and Pennsylvania lawmakers want to enshrine it in their state’s constitution.

*snip*

[OLDMDDEM]

1. Interesting

I believe the governor would veto the bill. Does the legislature have enough repugs to override a veto?

[madville]

2. It's not a bill the governor can veto

It's an amendment to the state constitution that the voters will decide on, the governor isn't part of the process.

[OLDMDDEM]

4. Thank you

I didn't realize that.

[Freddie]

3. The assholes in the Pennsyltucky state legislature

Changed the rules so the Governor cannot veto a Constitutional amendment. So I believe they’re going to slip this into an off-year election as one of those confusingly worded questions on the ballot. We have to raise holy hell over this as “personhood” crap does a lot more than just remove choice. Personhood laws have been voted down in every state they’re attempted, even Mississippi.
Why is my state so f*cking backwards and run by RWNJs?? WE are in the majority but of course minority rules. Infuriating.

[OLDMDDEM]

5. Thank you

I lived in Nebraska for my first 30 years. That state is backward. Now I live in Maryland and am glad to be here.

[FalloutShelter]

6. Damn... just moved from NYS

where you can be assured of your reproductive rights and own five pounds of weed for personal use to Effing Pennsyltucky. Where I can have none of these freedoms things.

Wanted to be near my granddaughters. Now I will be fighting for them.

[themaguffin]

7. The GOP may have helped Dem turnout in the fall

[Solly Mack]

8. Pennsylvania: Where a clump of cells is a person but women - not so much.

[Efilroft Sul]

10. Bingo. Great call.

[Buckeyeblue]

9. It would be interesting to see a state wide vote on this

It seems much of the anti-choice legislation is done in state houses, outside of the consent of the population.

Putting such language on the ballot could help the democratic candidate for Senate.

[RobinA]

12. As A Pennsylvanian

I will warn you not to have too much trust in Pennsylvanians in these matters. Although, hopefully you are right about such a ballot question pulling out democratic voters. But it could also activate the other side.

[Buckeyeblue]

13. I don't know PA politics

But I think anti-choice activists show up big for all elections. I don't think there are hidden pockets of anti-choice voters. I do think there are pro-choice casual voters who might be motivated to turn out. Especially when the pro-choice side runs commercials about women being arrested for having a miscarriage and all of the other draconian activities outlawing abortion would cause.

[Midnight Writer]

11. "protect the life...from conception to birth". After that, kids, you're on your own.