CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – Governor Tom Wolf and Representative Mary Jo Daley joined local elected officials and women’s health advocates on Monday to rally against Senate Bill 3, the anti-choice legislation that would severely limit women’s reproductive rights.
“Once again, politicians in Harrisburg are trying to force their way into the doctor’s office so that they can have a say in women’s health care decisions,” said Governor Wolf. “Make no mistake about it – bills like SB 3 are an attack on women’s personal freedoms, personal choice, and personal liberties. I want to be clear, when and if this legislation ultimately reaches my desk – I will veto it.”
Senate Bill 3 proposes the most extreme restrictions on abortion in the country.
It would ban abortions after 20 weeks except in the rarest of circumstances, leaving no exceptions for rape, incest, health, or tragic fetal anomalies.
The bill would also ban one of the safest methods of second-trimester abortions, putting women at risk and taking crucial decisions about their medical care out of the hands of their trusted medical providers.
“I am proud to stand with Governor Tom Wolf and Commissioner Val Arkoosh to speak out against SB3,” said Representative Daley. “Let’s be perfectly clear, SB3 is not a bill that protects women. It is a bill that would take away the autonomy of a woman to make the best decision for herself and her family. But that’s not all, it would also undermine the duty of doctors to use the safest medical procedure to treat a patient.”
In a Morning Call story at mcall.com, Rep. Matt Baker (R., Bradford), chairman of the House Health Committee that passed the bill Monday along partisan lines, said he believes the issue had been “properly vetted,” warranting a vote in his committee without a public hearing.
Baker said there are a number of medical practitioners who support the bill, including the Christian Medical Doctors and Dentists.
“It’s an issue that you are either going to be voting for or against, whether you are going to be pro-life or pro-abortion,” Baker said.
In his mind, Baker added, the matter “is a sanctity of life issue.”
The Pennsylvania Senate passed the bill, despite bi-partisan opposition. The bill awaits action by the full House of Representatives and a vote is expected this week.
Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.
