By Tessa Roy, WPRO News
After roughly four hours of debate, the Rhode Island House approved the Reproductive Privacy Act, a bill that supporters say is an “insurance policy” in case Roe vs. Wade is overturned on a federal level.
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“I am so happy that my colleagues saw fit to protect the women and girls in the state of Rhode Island before Washington comes down and does something crazy,” said Representative Anastasia Williams, the bill’s prime House sponsor.
The bill had been amended to keep partial birth abortions banned in the state and to ban late term abortions except to preserve the health or life of a mother. A number of other amendments to the bill were shot down, including a 24 hour waiting period proposed by Representative Arthur Corvese and a measure from Representative Brian Newberry that would prohibit gender, Down syndrome, race, or “anticipated or potential sexual preference” of a fetus from being considered when determining whether an abortion is needed to protect a mother’s life or health.
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House Democrats just voted down an amendment designed to protect against third trimester abortions based solely on bigotry, racism, homophobia, sexism or a desire not to raise a child with Downs Syndrome. Amazing.
— Brian C. Newberry (@BrianCNewberry) March 8, 2019
Pro choice representatives defended the bill, making the argument that women should be trusted to make their own decisions. Representative Justine Caldwell attempted to dispel some of the claims made by opponents.
“We’ve heard horror stories about what we want. But those simply aren’t true. I’m a mom, not a monster. I’m about to become an aunt, and I have my niece’s sonogram hanging up on my refrigerator,” she said.
Corvese, who is pro life, argued the bill wasn’t necessary.
“They will never overturn Roe vs. Wade. As much as I’d personally like to see it, that will never happen,” he said.
The bill was approved without the support of House Speaker Nick Mattiello, who said he is personally pro-life but respects the majority that believes in abortion rights.
