Controversial abortion bill passes committee

By: Brittany Comak

Email: bcomak@abc6.com

Twitter: @BComakABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – The controversial abortion bill to codify Roe v. Wade into Rhode Island law is on its way to the full Senate, after being voted down in the Senate Judiciary Committee last month.

“I expected a vote like that, it’s going to come to the floor, we’re going to see what happens right now,” said Senate President Dominick Ruggerio after the vote.

The 8-2 result angered some: “God’s heart is breaking right now,” said Pro-Life supporter Lisa French. “He is weeping! And we are here as a voice for the voiceless.”

Others were overjoyed by the yes vote.

“We’re so excited,” said Hilary Levey Friedman of the RI chapter of the National Organization for Women. “It has been a quarter of a century since the Rhode Island Senate has acted on this important issue, and so this is truly historic.”

The bill was transferred to the Health and Human Services Committee earlier this week, after minority leaders had planned to vote in an ex-officio capacity to sway the vote.

Senator Elaine Morgan voted ex-officio at Thursday’s meeting, and made a motion several times to move the bill back to the Judiciary Committee.

“Abortion is not healthcare,” said Morgan after the vote. “It’s anti-healthcare. And it’s the murder of a baby.”

Senators Lynch Prata and Archambault from the Judiciary Committee, spoke to the Health and Human Services Committee before the vote, to clarify changes made to the language of the bill regarding late term abortion.

Those who are Pro-Life say they are still not satisfied.

“This is just an egregious bill,” said Pro-Life supporter Kara Young. “It violates every level of decency. It expands abortion, it de–regulates abortion.”

But those who wrote the bill say that’s not true.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Crowley, who is pro life, voted yes on the bill.

“There is no expansion, there is no nine month abortion, which I would be totally against, and I would be saying no right now,” said Crowley prior to the vote. “Having said that, I believe that this bill deserves the attention of the full Senate.”

It will get the attention of the full Senate next Tuesday.

Should it pass there, it will go back to the House for a vote, with the changes made.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2019