- Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly on Friday introduced a bill calling for a binding referendum on a proposal that would make abortions illegal after 14 weeks of pregnancy.
- Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is almost certain to veto the bill if it passes the Legislature.
- Evers had previously vowed to veto “any bill that would make reproductive health care less accessible to Wisconsinites than it currently is,” spokeswoman Britt Cudabach said, adding that she would veto “any bill that would make reproductive health care less accessible to Wisconsinites than it currently is.” That's the purpose of the bill.”
Republicans who control the Wisconsin General Assembly quietly introduced a bill Friday that would call for a binding statewide referendum on whether to ban abortions after 14 weeks of pregnancy.
Republicans have scheduled a hearing on the bill Monday afternoon at the state Capitol. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is almost certain to veto the bill. But the proposal comes after Democrats parlayed their anger over the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the landmark 1972 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide into major electoral victories across the country. It still has the potential to energize conservative supporters.
That dynamic was most evident in Wisconsin, where Janet Protasiewicz won a seat on the state Supreme Court last year after repeatedly vowing to support abortion rights during her campaign. Her victory gave liberal justices a 4-3 majority on the court.
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Adding to Republicans' woes, a Dane County judge ruled this summer that Wisconsin's 174-year-old anti-abortion law only prohibits pesticides, the act of killing an unborn child. handed down the verdict. The ruling gave the family planning system, which had suspended services following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the courage to resume operations in September. However, the case is on appeal and will likely end up in the state Supreme Court.
Monday's hearing, set on the same day that Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to visit Waukesha County as part of a national tour promoting reproductive rights, promises to generate plenty of headlines for both sides regarding abortion. ing.
Another law in Wisconsin prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Friday's bill would make abortion illegal after the 14th week of pregnancy, or about three months.
Wisconsin Republican Congressional Speaker Robin Vos participates in a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer)
According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights, 43 states prohibit abortions after a certain point of viability. Two states, Georgia and South Carolina, have laws banning abortions at six weeks, before most women realize they are pregnant. Nebraska and North Carolina have laws banning abortions at 12 weeks. Arizona and Florida have laws banning abortions at 15 weeks.
However, Wisconsin's bill has a catch. The proposal calls for a statewide referendum asking voters whether a 14-week ban should go into effect during the April election. If the bill is passed, it will come into effect the day after the results are certified. If the question is rejected, the bill will not go into effect.
Wisconsin law does not allow voters to ask questions on their ballots. Republican lawmakers rejected Evers' call to create a way for voters to repeal the 1849 abortion ban.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said in December that she wanted voters to decide whether to reduce abortion limits. He said passing new abortion laws would eliminate the uncertainty of waiting for judges to interpret outdated laws.
Republicans brought the bill to Congress Friday morning without distributing a memo to lawmakers seeking co-sponsors, issuing a news release, or holding a news conference, which is customary when lawmakers want to draw attention to a proposal. registered in the online database. Asked for comment Friday, Vos' spokeswoman Angela Joyce referred reporters to Vos' December comments.
Mr. Joyce released a statement late Friday afternoon on behalf of the bill's lead sponsor in Congress, Rep. Amanda Nedweski. Nedweski said narrowing abortion limits could save lives, she said.
Evers spokeswoman Britt Cudaback told reporters Friday that Evers' comments last month vowed to veto “any bill that would make reproductive health care less accessible to the people of Wisconsin than it currently is.” mentioned.
“That's what this bill is about,” Cudaback said.
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This measure may not even reach Evers. The bill must pass both the Assembly and Senate before being sent to the governor. Senate Republican Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said last week that it would be difficult to get his caucus together around an abortion bill that Evers would veto. LeMahieu spokesman Brian Laday did not immediately return a message seeking comment Friday.
